The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-09-20

ranges on either side Of the valley were
most inspiring. The lofty summit of Mt.
Blanc presented temptation which we re
sisted for time, but ell in vainj long be =
fore noon we yielded to its attractions, and
disregarding the counsel Of old residenters
who advised US to go into training before
attempting SO difficult and dangerous feat
we secured tho services OF two hardy young
mountaineers as guides, procured the ueces
sary outfit, consisting Of stout steel shod
alpenstock, warm leggings. mittens, etc,
and like the young man who "bore ban
ner with that strange deyiCe, Excelsior" !"
we started for the top.
The frst ascent of Mont Bla nc was made
In 1855 by Dalmat and De Sausqure, and
since that time ascents have been occasion.
ally made, attended, not unlrequently with
accident and loss of life. At times even
in the summer, heavy snow storms on the
summit, or dense fogs which envelope the
mountain for weeks render tho ascent
absolutely impossible and under the most
favorable circumstances there is enough Of
difficulty and danger to give spice and ex-
element to the trip.
We left Chamonni shortly before noon
and brisk walk OF half an hour brought
us to the base Of the mountain at point
alongside the great glacier "des Bossons,"
a frozen food from half mile to two
miles in width, and Of unknown depth,
which, fed from the SHOWS OF the summit
valleys OF the range, pours down an i'm.
mense gorge in the mountain side with an
onward motion of about one foot a day.
For nearly two hours we algzag up the side
Of the mountain, crossing occasionally the
track of recent avalunches which have
swept down great trees like ferns from their
path, until we reach the cabin of "Plerre
Pointue," the first station of the ascent and
an elevation OF over G,OOO feet. Here we
stop lor lunch, and to enjoy the fine view
of the valley of Chamouni and the noun
tans beyond VIII ch is here obtained. |
Shortly alter leaving Pierre Pointue, we
reach the "snow line" and 60 out upon
the treacherous surface of the glacier For |
greater protection against possible slip or
fall, rope of perhaps 40 feet in engtU is |
now brought into requisltion and the mem
bers of the party are attached to each other,
and our guide en- chef ahead, Ourself in the |
middle aud our cond guide or porter be-
hind we go on, avoiding as best we can the
threatening aYoanches which overhang
from the ellis above, as well as the deep
creVasses which open lar down into the
glacier in every direction. Sup,e OF the
creyasses while extending downward into
the glacier for fifty or seventy We feet are
so narrow that one can leap across the top
while Others ale SO wide that ladders are
brought into use, upon which we cross ON
hands and knees over the yawning abyss
Others are covered or partially covered
with snow, and great care is needed lest It
give way beneath our feet and prec pi Ia TO
US into the depths below. All are passed
in safety however and about two and one
halt hours alter leaving Pierre Poiutue we
reacn the second station, the little Goblin OF
"Grand Mulets," over 10000 ieet above tide
water. 1t is built on rock that rises in
the centre of the glacier and around which
the broken stream Of snow and ice presses
its way. This point is frequently visited
by parties who do not propose to 90 farther;
while many who start for the summit new
er pass this cabin. Refreshments are here
supplied at prices which would astonish
even the swell restaurants of Paris oe New
York. 1t 10 far aboye the timber line and
everything used here must be brought over
the glacier on the backs of men. Even the
wood used for cooking is estimated TO cost a
half franc, or about ten cents in our mon
ey per pound.
Here we passed the night ,or rather por.
ton Of it, as at midnight we were awakened
by the voice of our guide calling us to
breaklastj and at 100 a. IN. guides and
tourist were again lashed together and
went out into the night, hoping to reach the
top before the heat ol the sun should soften
the snow. The moon had just appeared
up the vast snow fields around us, with the
sllvered summit far aboye, and the dark
valley far below, gave ghastly beauty
aud splendor to the scene which words can
not describe. The silence was unbroken,
save by the harsh crunch OF the frozen
snow under our feet as we strobe onward,
or the dull thunder OF some mighty avail
anche hurting itself from the dizzy nights
of the glacier into the depths below. We
made our way onward and upward as best
might, now making long detnurs to avoid
open creVasses, now working along steep
slopes whose icy surface necesstatei the
cutting of steps in order to obtain a foot
hold, until at about 1000 feet above the
Grand Mulcls an obstruction was found
which seemed to eliectualy bar all further
progress. A broad, deep crevasse had
opened across our route aud examination
failed To reveal any way OF getting around
it, AT length a spot was found where an
overhanging wall of ice and snow hung
far out over the opposite side of the creyasse
but rose high above our heads, and at one
point narrow neck Of frozen snow jutted
out nearly to this wall. Here our guide
stopped and in few moments had with
his axe cut out IN the wall as high as he
could reach a space large enough to hold
his body. Then calling up the porter, with
the Injunction To us to "stand very strong"
he went up over the porter's back uto the
opening he had made and from thence cut
steps in the ice and finally reached the top.
We then followed IN the same manner aud
by our united strength drew up the porter
and agaln pressed onward At about 400
O'Clock we reached the Grand Plateau aud
witnessed a most glorious sunrise The
stars had been fading one by one and the
light growing stronger, until at last the
Lord OF Day" appeared above the eastern
horizon and the mountains were lit up
with his efiulgens rays.
From tho Grand Plateau for some dis