Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-07-21
GREAT CALIFORNIA MOUNTAIN.
Going Up To the Top Of shasta and
Then Down Again.

From the Overland Monthly for July
Now that we were within few miles Of Shasta,
1t did not look so wholly white. It's SHOWS were
ploughed by many rocky ridge, not perceptioie
at greater distance 1t dio not however, lose its
supernatural appearance thereby, but rather
gained an eject more startling by the sharp con-
trast OF lava rock and sweeps Of snow. Shasta
was named by Russian travellers, the proper deri-
walton OF the word being Tcheste, meaning chaste,
pure. II ia the eliminating peak Of the coast and
Sierra ranges, and has an altitude Of "A feet
Its glaciers extend for more than two miles down
its slopes. We sat for an hour on the hotel porch
trying to famtliar1ze ourselves with this strange
mountain, but its unearthly aspect did not change
for us.
at is terrible to be up therew said Hal, with
almost shudder zone 10 in no danger OF forget
ridge this side OF the Devils Thumb, saw far on
on the snow a black object about the size OF my
nnger wr1ggling and staggering about, falling nat
occasionally, and then resuming is fantastic gyra-
tons. observed 1t carefully, and discovered that
the object was forked; and then 1t flashed through
me rI the
summit, we were met by perfect avalanche OF
clouds that tossed and tumbled about, giving a
peared to be In world Of unrealities, psopled BY
shadowy creatures that heightened and con-
tracted. and flung about their vast Wings above
tne sckenlng tunes that steamed up from the
Missing, squirting hot springs at our feet. A mo-
mentary parting OF the clouds showed the sky
iuuISO, ClOSinS UOWn IN aW1ul 06ar0eSS.
Through revolving glare the blood-red sun
swung In the 1rightTui purple Of the heavens
fronting these unaccustomed elements SOL
emn dignity possessed the soul and gave a con-
scious feeling OF 1nflnitude. The loss Or all fami-
lar landmarks lent an tndesoribable terror to the
scene. This dead volcanoes throat Is chOked with
snow. ON It's Icy rim one OF the ladies slipped and
Tell headl0ng over the chaSm- The guide caught
her by one VI her rect. Her escape from horrible
death was almost miraculous. We were nearly
frozen with the cold, and yet our mouths were
parched and hot as In desert Our hearts throbbed
painfully, and we drew our breath In gasps.
before we commenced the descent a fierce blast
tore the InlStS aSunder, revealing the grandest
picture we shall ever behold on earth. From the
majestic temple we could see hundreds Of miles Of
valleys with spurs or rocky ridges cutting through
tawny farm fields far away; green meadows star
red with lakes, and billowy ranges running toward
the sea, while nifty miles or dense pine forests
spanned the McCIoud and Pitt to touch the snowy
heads or the SlerraS. And OregOn'S rich prairieS,
linked TO ours by chain OF Silyer-surfaced lakes;
10 the south, beyond the mighty Lessen Buttes, we
eaten glimpse CT duShy plains, with isles OF
clustering peaks. Three times i have seen all
This, ana yeti feel an irresistible desire TO go
again. In spite OF the labor and exhaustion at
tending the ascent, the vision from the top is
worth greater sacrifice"
we slowly descended the mountain, gazing 81
lently toward Mount Shasta until the Intervening
hours late that night, and as turned from bid
ding Hal good-by We saw a radiant mantle fall On
Shasta'S head from the departing sun. "And the
glory Oh the Lord was like devouring fire on the top
Oh Tue mount" ne quoted SOlemnly, aud within It's
reflected light we parted hands.