Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-01-16
LOST In THE MOUNTAINS.

Some six years ago, while connected with
a botanical establishment in North Carolina,
| / had business for the firm, that carried me
into the neighborhood of the far famed Black
Mountain range. My errand accomplished,
l fingered in the vicinity for day or two, In
order to do little prospecting on my own
account.
| | had long been DESTROYS of making the
ascent of Mount Mitchell, that heavenward
soaring Monarch of the Blacks rendered
doubly interesting because of its superior alti-
tude and of its pinnacles enshrining the dust
of its intrepid discoverer-the story Of whose
tragic death has SO often been repeated.
Having spoken of this intention to the
molmtaineer with whom | was stopping, he
advised my going round to the Buncombe
county side, and there procuring guide to
make the ascent with me. as there were bri-
die paths cut from that direction. However,
he went on to say, if did not care to take
all this trouble, he could procure guide for
me on this side, although, he cautioned me
that would find the route exceedingly rough
and not q little dangerous
Now, this idea of taking a glide with me
was one l did not relish much. Indeed, it
was the very last thing | wanted to do. L
was young, self reliant, and full of the spirit
of adventure Besides, wanted something
to brag about among my youthful friends on
nv return, and what better could l have
than that had made an ascent, alone, OF the
gloomy Blacks! Perhaps, also, l might dis
cover a new peak, perhaps even one Of su-
perior altitude to the towering Mount Mitch
ell, and thus hand my name down to poster
ity along with those of DR.. Mitchell, Gen.
Clingman and other famous explorers.
Filled with these thoughts and aspirations,
| procured generous lunch from the wife Of
my mountaineer, and under pretense of going
to spend the day and night with an old trap
per, who lived five miles away on the Caney
river set off at daybreak the next morning
on nay adventurous journey.
had made close inquiries in regard to tho
various foot paths up the mountain sides,
and had, as I thought, the correct bearings
of the route I ought to pursue pretty well
fixed IN nv mind Indeed, the peak de-
sired to reach was in full view of my friend S
front door, and | was Of the opinion that by
keeping an eye to the direction would have
but little trouble in reaching it.
had been repeatedly told of the almost
impenetrable forests of balSam that covered
the upper portion of these Alpine like peaks,
but in my ignorance supposed it would be
quite easy, in spite of the dense growths, to
trace out the footways.
| Nv host had informed me that it was good
ten miles from his door to the summit Of
Mount Mitchell. Being blessed with a capt.
tai pair of legs and well accustomed to using
them, had calculated that by starting at
daylight could easily make the trip to tho
summit and back to one of the nearer hats
of the mountaineers by early nightfall, any
how. But that l might be the better pre-
pared in case had to camp out, I provided
myself with q blanket and a box of matches.
| The former l wore in a roll strapped across
my shoulders.
Even in the light chestnut forests that COW
cred the lower slopes 1 had much difficulty in
finding my way. Ii many places the trail
was barely traceabie. More than once got
completely turned around, and found myself
doubling back upon my own footsteps.
| | had never before been in the balsam
thickets Had I been, l am candid enough
to admit that l would never, with all my love
of fame and adventure, have SGT ont alone on
what very soon came to realize was most
! foolhardy undertaking. The dense gloom Of
the baLsams had but little more than en-
veloped me, when began to wish had taken
the Old mountaineerNS advice and have gone
round on the Buncombe county side, anu as
cended by the bride paths like any other
civilized mortal Not only did the almost
| irnpenetrabe forests reach away on every side,
| but underfoot in every direction stretched
great beds of sponge like moss, into which nay
foot sank often above the ankle, and yet left
no impression.
In vain looked for the least sign Of path.
Not one was anywhere visible, not even the
trace of human being. 1t was with ex-
treme difficulty that could now make my
way through some places at all, for the bal
sam is a tree of many branches, and these,
growing low to the ground, form almost I'M
penetrable barriers.
had not gone very fsE when | discovered
that it would be simply madness 30 continue
on my way unless could come across path
of some sort On trying to retrace my steps,
l found, to my utter dismay, that mad lost
all knowledge as to u y bearings. waSsocuGn-
plsseay turned around that hadn't the least
| idea of the direction whence l had entered
| the forest.
] Shutdown for . moment TO think over the
situation. I was aSsurediy lost and what
was worse hadn't the least knowledge of
nv WHEREABOUTS. If could get g look at the
sun / thought might have some idea of the
course l ought to pursue. But the dense,
dark foliage OF the balsams excluded even q
ray aud although my watch showed me that
| it was fast nearing noon, the light about me
was itIie clearer than that of twilight.
After resting haf hour or SO | started a
| again, with the determination 10 keep IN as
straight course as l could possibly Judge.
| Added TO the difficulty | had previously ex-
perienced of masking my way through the
dense overhanging boughs OF the baisaans, /
now encountered another, and, IN many In
stances, a far greater. This was from the
| numerous dead 6alSaUs that had fallen
against the others and in some places COM
| pietely barred my way. Il had repeatedly 20
crawl upon ny hands and knees and often 70
| throw my body fat upon the ground and
work my way through. l had pToceeded a
mile or more In tots manner, IS near rs could
judge, when l came suddenly upon kind OF
clearing. apparently made by the uprootng
Of several large trees IN storm. Here was
enabled 10 get my first GLIMPSE Of the Sun
since entering the balssin forests. l glanced
at my watch. 1t WIGS now past O'Clock, and
the sun was already machining towards the
weSt
Directly in frolt O. mel could sec the bold,
somewhat pare outlines OF q peak which
recognized at once from lis peculiar shape q