Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-06-27
THE SUMMIT OF MONT BLANC.
Prof Tyndall Gives a Thrilling Description
of a Fight Against the Cold.

1
! On Prof. Tyndall's second ascent of
Mont Blanc he was caught in a snow
storm at the summit. He mas given a
graphic description of the difficulty
tempts in performing some scientific
experiments in such circumstances. 1t
offered curious illustration of the
fact that there are times when nothing
is so welcome as suffering. The frost
bitten mans case became more hopeful
as soon as he felt pain.
'The clouds whirled wildly around
US, and the fine snow, which was
caught by the wind and spit bitterly at
US, cut off visible communication be-
tween us and the lower world. As we
approached the summit the air thick
ened more and more, and the cold be-
came intense.
! 1--WE reached the top in good condi-
ton, nevertheless, and leaving Bal
mat, the guide, to make a hole for the
thermometer. | collected number of
batons, drove them into the snow, and
drawing my plaid around them formed
kind of eXtempore tent to shelter my
boillng-water apparatus. The cover
ering was tightly held, but the snow
was fine and dry as dust, and penetrat-
ed everywhere; my lamp could not be
secured from it, and half a box of
matches was consumed in the efforts
to ignite it. At length it did flame up,
and carried on spluttering combus-
ton.
Meanwhile the absence of muscular
action caused the cold to effect our
men severely. myself was too intent
upon my work to feel it much. but |
was numbed; one of my fingers had
! lost sensation and my right heel was
in pain; still had no thought of re-
linguishing my observation until Mr..
Wills came to say that ne must return
speedily for Balmat's hands were
frozen. l did not comprehend the full
significance of the word, but the por-
tiers presented such an aspect of suf-
fering that feared to detain them any
longer.
81 struck my tent, deposited my
thermometer, and as / watched the
covering of it up some of the party
commenced the descent. | followed
them speedily. Midway down the
first slope | saw Balmat, who was
about 100 yards in advance of me, sud-
denly pause and thrust his hands into
the snow and commence rubbing them
vigorously.
''The suddenness of the act surpris-
ed me, but | had no idea at the same
time of it's real significance. / soon
came up to him; he seemed frightened,
and continued to beat and rub his
hands, plunging them at quick inter-
walls into the snow. Still l thought
the thing would speedily pass away,
experience to suppose that he would
permit himself to be seriously injured.
Sat last he became exhausted by his
efforts. staggered like a drunken man.
and fell upon the snow. Mr.. Wills
and | took each hand, and continued
the process of beating and rubbing. /
feared that we should injure him by
our blows, but he continued to ex-
claim:
Don't be afraid! Strike all the
time, strike hardr
eve did so, till Mr.. Wills became
exhausted, and porter had to take
his place. Meanwhile Balmat pinched
|
and bit his fingers at intervals, to test
their condition; but for a long time
there was no sensation. He was evil
IDENTIFY hopeless. At last returning
sensation in one hand announced itself
by excruciating pain.
81 sufferr he exclaimed at intervals
words, which, from man of iron
endurance, had more than ordinary
significance. But pain was better
than death, and, under the circum-
stances, sign of improvement.
eve assumed our descent, while he
continued to rub his hands with snow
and brandy, thrusting them at every
few steps into the snow. At Caamouni
he had skillful medical advice, and es-
capped with the loss of six of his nails
his hands were saved. "--YOuth's Com
pGraion.