The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1892-09-14

time of our visit. The overflow has
worn out deep ravine, which runs
first to west and then to the south
west. A spring on the southern side
of the mountain, called "Wai Hu," is
believed by the natives to be con-
nected with this lake. The elevation
of Waiau is at least Is, $50 feet, which
is 600 feet higher than Fujiyama.
There are few bodies of water in the
world higher than this, except in
Thibet or on the plateau of Pamir.
No fish are found in its waters, nor
do any waterfowl frequent its mar
gins. Its depth was not sounded, as
it was proved by experiment that we
had not adequate means for navi
eating it. Small tufts of grass and
delicate ferns were found growing
among the rocks around the lake.
After the pack train had been
photographed, the large tent was
| pitched close to the shore Of Waiau,
aud all the animals were sent back to
the ranch except one unfortunate
mule, which was treated to feed of
oats and blanketed for the night.
ALI of the party were more Or less
affected by shortness Of breath, but
two of them had severe attack of
mountain sickness before supper
After suffering extremely for thirty
six hours without any signs of i'm
provement, they returned to Kalaihe
on the 22d, leaving five persons in
the camp, taking the mule with
them. The writer was hors de com
bat the day after the ascent with an
old fashioned sick headache, but had
no further trouble from that cause.
During each of the six nights
which we spent on the summit the
temperature fell much below the
freezing point, registering 25 deg,
Is deg, IA deg, and even IL deg
Fair, and considerable ice formed
around the margin of the lake. Dur
ing the day the Naaximum of the
thermometer in the shade was gener-
ally between go deg and SO deg, but
when exposed to thu sun on the rocks
it rose to 108 deg. The hygrometer
indicated an exceptionally dry at
mosphere.
A solid pier of masonry was built
for the meridian circle, and a fiat
rock moved into position to serve as
a stand for the pendulum apparatus
Such was the clearness of the air that
star observations were usually com
menced before P. NJ. Contrary to
expectation we found the trade wind
blowing as strong on the summit as
it did below at Kalaieha.
Of Mr.. Preston's work it may
briefly be said that it was entirely
successful. The opportunity was
great and he made the most of it..
Complete series of magnetic, latitude
and pendulum observations were
made, besides the observations of the
barometer and thermometer, and a
large number of interesting photo.
graphs were taken from different
points of view. In the meantime a
Typographical survey was made of
the summit plateau, in which Mr.. j.
j. Muir's assistance was most oppor-
tune and valuable. On the 22d a
short base line was measured with a
steel tape and minute survey made
of the lake and its neighborhood. On
the same day two of our men came
up with two pack mules, bringing
the Honolulu mail, load of fire
wood and some fresh provisions.
The next day, the 23d, Mr. Muir
and the writer together with the
guide assembled the central hill.
about mile and half from our
camp and 800 feet higher. It en-
closes two small craters. The scram-
BILE up that huge pile of cinders in
the rareied air is a severe strain on
weak lungs. The pulse rose in one
case to 120, and in another to $50
per minute. The old trig. station,
which had formerly been sighted to
from several points below, was now
occupied with an instrument for the
first time. The difference of height
between this station and the next
summit was found by levelling to be
about 45 feet, as it had been esti-
mated in 1872. The highest point is
probably not less than 1890 feet
above the sea.
The view from the summit was
sublime beyond description, embrac-
ing, as it did, the three other great
mountains of Hawaii, and the grand
old House of the Sum-" IS miles
distant, looming up clear and dis.
tinct above belt of clouds. Mauna
Loa was perceptibly a trife lower
than the point where we stood.
Without casting up any loose
heaps of sand and scoria, its
majestic dome has risen within
$50 feet of the highest point
reached by its rival. Its surface
} was streaked by numerous recent
lava streams, while a deep cleft
which breaks the smooth curve. ga e
: us a glimpse into the vast terminf,
crater of Mokuaweoweo.
On the windward side Of the su u
J NIT ridge and in the craters wer
/ several large patches of snow, Y,
or three feet thick, composed d
, large crystals, like coarse salt. Will
t eating our lunch on the summit, We
, were surprised to see carbon file:
t at that altitude, attracted by it.
, After surveying and sketching al