The National tribune., 1891-01-08

along the ridge II was comfortably warm
sitting on the rocks, but,we did not dare
remain in the heat and moisture, so crossed
the big crater 10 the other edge, where we
found n little cave, in which we spread our
blankets and prepared for the night
Although no one was very hungry, with
the exception of myself, the members of the
party were not sick. The exhaustion,
cold and sulphurOus Odor caused me to suffer
a short time with chill and nausea, but
after an hours rest recovered completely
1t is amusing TO think of
COOKING AT THAT ALTITUDE,
but one of the men melted ice in a lineup
over the steam, heated the water, dissolved
some extract of beef and served hot beef
soup. The blankets, which seemed so heavy
to carry, were sufficiently light as evening
came on. Through the small opening above
we could watch the stars aud meteors and
all night long eould hear the awful ava
lanches laundering down the mountain
side.
The party did not sleep much that night,
on account of the intense cold, and in the
morning our shoes were frozen stif, and the
blankets, where the steam had blown, were
icy. A light snow had visited us and COW
cred the cave. Not caring for breakfast, at
6:3O a. m. we wrapped our blankets around
us and started for the rim of the crater,
where the wind hOwled iercely. I never
suffered from the cold as severely as on that
morning while making the descent The
steps cut in the ice the previous day had
frozen over, and it was necessary to repeat
the tedious work. 1t seemed almost more
dangerous descending around the cliff and
over the rocky lodges than it had been climb
ing them.
After we passed Gibraltar we travelled
slowly over the rocks and snowfelds, enjoy
ing some delightful slides down the steep
hill sides, and arriving in camp late in the
afternoon, where we were warmly welcomed
by our anxious friends. The exposure
effected our faces and hands for weeks. The
day following the descent our faces were
MUCH SWOLLEN,
and we suffered intensely from peeling lips
and sore eyes
After spending several days exploring
around the camp and becoming rested, the
party left, and three days ride through the
woods and mountains brought us safely back
to Yelm, highly pleased with our Summer
outing.
In the crater we left our names in q sar-
dine-box, flask and tin cup, which were
found by the party who made the ascent two
days later. The camera and two kodaks saw
some beautiful sights during the trip, which
have been preserved. Among the specimens l
prize most the crater moss which was found
in the cave where we spent the night. Very
little of anything grows above 10000 feet,
the timber line ending about $500 1t is
wonderful that large pieces Of fresh green
moss should grow in the crater, kept alive
by the steam.
In time to come Takoma will be favorite
resort for tourists who enjoy the pleasures of
mountaineering. know of no more beau
tiiul and comfortable camping,place in the
Northwest than can be found on the parks
and grassy slopes Of this mountain.
The pleasures Of camping, the rides
through the new country, the beautiful
views, together with the adventurous ascent,
rewarded by the impressions and sensations
received when standing on the nights and
gazing at the world below, make it never
to-be-forgotten trip.