News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1888-08-23
SLIDING DOWN MOUNT SHASTA.


Before you can slide down theface of Mount
| Shasta you must shin up his backbone, per-
haps some of you would like to know how this
is done, so | will give you the experience of one
| alone: | know not whether it is the experience
Of any other.
1t had been our highest ambition from the
time we (this is merely the editorial I'VE" and
means simply "me and my cane') left the
East till Mt. Shasta reared his awful form
before us, covered with miles of glistening
snow, to put this, the highest mountain and
the pride of California, beneath our feet. With
this purpose fixed in mind we left San Fran
cisco last Thursday eve for Sisson, the station
nearest the mountain. Upon arriving here
Friday noon we at once inquired for the guide
to Mt Shasta, and was informed that it was
too late to start and no guide could be secur-
ed that day, but if we could form party of
three or more for Saturday I" a guide would
take usupfor fifteen dollars each" The after
noon was spent in vain searching for parties
equally anxious to triumph over the proud
and naughty mountain. Disappointed by fail
ure we repaired to the Great Spring, the
source of the Sacramento river, and the Soda
springs near by, and there came upon the
photographer of the place, and compositor
on the Chronicle at San Francisco, who agreed
to go up to the Timber Line with us the next
day. Early Saturday morning our party of
three could have been seen vending their way
up the foot hills of Mt Shasta determined to
stand at his feet and look him in the face.
mountain was easily accomplished and emerg-
ing from the forest grand sight broke upon
our view, before which we could but stand in
awe with uncovered heads.
The two friends accompanyingus were salts
fed with their mountain climb ing for that day.
while we decided to approach nearer and at
least tread upon the lower lines of snow When
these were reached the stern mountain seemed
to beckon us forward and the magnificent
scene spread out around us and extending as
NO lodi a 6YYc hIcrha,
Three O'Clock came and we knew that farther
climbing meant a night upon the mountain
alone. Our friends voices were also heard far
below us calling us to return but we could not
go back, SO on we went; four O'Clock found
us climbing with hands and feet up the ridge
Tor back-bone) of old Shasta; on one side as
we pressed upward the stones which we started
would fall, roll and slide over the rocks and
snow many hundred feet below until they
were dashed into fragments on the rocks at
the bottom of the ancient deep and broad vol
canic crater; on the other side they fell into a
canon of equal depth; five O'Clock came, then
half past five, then six; we paused and con-
sldered the situation, a thousand feet of Shasta
still above us; o if we had but two hours
more of day light but to go higher meant
for US night in the snow, twenty miles from
any human being, alone upon the mountain
top. Prudence conquered desire and after a
lingering look upon the broad expanse of earth
stretching out at our feet to the Pacific Ocean
self we could count ten mountain chains and
looked into as many valleys, we cast about
for quick and easy way of descent. Fortu-
nately a good blanket had just been found
this helped to solve the problem. If we could
but get down upon the snow in the canon
what prevented a slide down Mt. Shasta's
face. There was no time to lose, action fol-
lowed the thought; we were soon within ten
feet of the snow and upon the edge of per-
pendicular cliff; we could climb no lower, we
could not get back on the ridge; our hat fell
on the rocks below, the blanket was thrown;
carefully we dropped our bag, when 10 and be-
hold it started down the mountain tum bling,
sliding, rolling, jumping it struck upon ledge
and flew open; a revolver leaped outupon the
rocks, other things followed suit, the bag final
y stopped in a little stream of water; this was
not entirely satisfactory. Again we tried, this
time we dropped our cane when behold it we
couldn't, for it sunk out of sight in the snow |
this gave us no more satisfaction than the |
other; which should follow? L preferred to |
strike the happy medium but had had no |
power of choice, | must jump and take my |
chances, there was no alternative; it was an |
anxious moment; then came to my mind the |
words of the 91st Psalm, at which my Bible |
opened of its own accord that very morning,
md committing my ways unto Him who had |
10 wonderfully prospered me thus far on nv
Quincy, leaped from the rock; the snow was
lbout ten feet below and | found myself stand
ng waist deep in it. | was happy again. /
dug out my cane (of course put
ny hat on my head so | needn't say that },
pread my blanket upon the snow and sat
lown with my feet sunk deep into the snow and
he cane ditto in front of me to act as brakes
started down the slide at a fearful rate but
Don had the team under control, and could
heck myself,sOr put on speed, turn to the
light or the left at pleasure; and it was an ex-
pleasure seldom experienced. |
topped at the first station and picked up the
)ag and contents, and with that slung over
ny shoulder started on; before the next ridge
'frocks was reached my precious cane struck
hidden rock and broke Tiny worst misfOr-
une). For three miles down the slope l con-
inued thus travelling, varying it only by
ometimes going head first upon my stomach,
1t other times sliding upon my feet. l had
made perpendicular descent of near y mile.
We forgot our editorial I'VE" in our rapid
escent.) The scene changesl behold the
writer seated upon a rock at the snow line
yet nearly to the knees; shoes, clothes and
lanket soaked in snow water. The sun is
esting on the opposite mountain, it long ago
sft the valley, which now looks dark while all
he mountains are tipped with light. The pros
ect was pleasing when turned away from
elf; when turned upon self the facts may be
ummed up as follows; wet to the skin sixteen
lilies from supper, bed and breakfast; alone
t the snow line on a mountain infested with
and the guide books say " five
inds of bears from the Grizzley down to the
no bed, no boughs or leaves to
lake one, no covering except small wet
lanket; no means of defence except revOl-
eF.
A few stones are found piled together with a
pace between them; a fire is kindled in here
, warm the ground and also to drive out the
if any should happen to be there;
BON the fire is moved to one end of the space,
ne wet clothes are drying, the writer is stretch
| upon the ground with a stone for his pill
wv and-asleep. 1t is unnecessary to add
lat no rattlesnake attacked us, no bear de-
CURED, and that the same kind Providence
atched overus while the stars passed over our
cad; also that the run of sixteen miles down
lie mountain gave us a keen appetite for
reakfast. The anxiety of our friends was re-
eyed at our appearance and soon the rumor
7 = a man lost upon the mountain was cor
'cted in the village, but many miles away in
lie cars we heard it told with such a relish
lat three men went upon the mountain and
ne Of them was lost, with nothing to eat or
protect him from from the cold, etc, )" that
e had not the heart to correct him.
Surely we thought" one may go to sleep on
ountain top and, waking up in the morning,
the bears don't eat him up, may find him q
If famous"
A. III. CAMPBELL. "