Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-10-28
INTERESTING TRIP.
Ascent Of Mount Stuart, Washington,
by S. S. Gannett for Surveying.
A Dizzy Height OF $500 Feet Above Level OF
the Sea.

s. S. Gannett, who now has charge of
the United States geological survey, re-
Gently made the ascent of Mount Stuart,
in connection with the survey service.
His trip was rough, but most interest
ing one.
MIR. Gannett, it will be remembered Is
an Augusta man, and brother of G. +.
and W. Fl. Gannett, now living in this
city. He had charge three years ago Of
the Typographical work in making up q
new map of Maine, for the government.
The following taken from tho Ellens-
burg Capital, published at the capital Of
Washington state, gives an account of the
trip to the summit of Mount Stuart
son Tuesday, October 1st, Mr.. 5. s
Gannett, in charge of the United States
geological survey, went to Mount Stuart
to take observations in regard to the sur
vey he is making A few days later he
started for the top Of the mountain carry
ing his instrument on his back and hi:
lunch in his pocket Two of his men
started with him, but after three hours
struggle gave it up and returned to camp
Mr.. Gannett, however, continued the
climb and finally reached the summit
the very top of the peak. His disap-
pointment was keen, though, when he
found on looking around that it was
cloudy in every direction and he was
unable, whichever way he looked, to see
anything but clouds.
After rest be descended and the next
day was spent in camp. But Thursday
was bright and warm at the foot of the
great mountain, and he concluded that
an ascent would be attended with better
results than before, so he started, this
time alone. He climbed up, as before, to
the south side, and after long, tiresome
trip, he again stood on the very top of
the highest peak. Not a cloud flecked
the sky in any direction and the pane
rama that was unfolded before him he
describes as the grandest he ever saw.
Mount Stuart is almost in the geographi-
cal center of the state and every snow
peak in Washington stood out in bold
relief before him. He saw to the north
of him, 1876 miles away, Mount Baker
over 1876 miles to the west stood Mount
Olympus; eighty miles to the south,
Mount Adams met his gaze; the sugar
loaf, Mount ST. Helens, was in plain view
a hundred miles to the southwest, and 60
miles away, but apparently only ten, was
the grandest of all peaks Rainier.
All these mountains were easily within
the range of vision and as they extend
in line almost from the northern to
the southern boundary, the scope is indeed
great one Puget sound was within
sight but heavy fog hung over 1t. All
the mountains to the east were within
range; in fact, Mr.. Gannett said practic-
ally the whole of the state can be seen
from this point. He declares Mount
Stuart is the toughest peak and the
hardest one to ascend in the Northwest.
The apex where he planted his instru-
ment is about fourteen feet long and
three feet wide and when he stepped
around his instrument he did not have
over foot OF space on either side. On
the north side of the mountain there Is u
perpendicular precipice of 5000 feet down
from the table where he stood, and the
sensation produced by looking over this,
he declares, is terrifying. The slope on
this, the south side, is moro gradual, yet it
is hard to get over and at the best it is ii
dangerous trip.
The mountain is granite formation
and gigantic bou,derS without number
have to be evaded or climbed over Many
of these, Mr.. Gannett says, are balanced so
that they can be shaken by a person
The top of the mountain Is full of large
cracks which add greatly to the feeling
of insecurity Stuart has never been /,
volcano, but has two large glaciers on
the north side. which are wonderful In
themselves. Taken altogether M. Gan
nett thinks Stuart is wonderful noun
tain, rugged, imposing and grand, yet at
the same time he Gays Rainier is the
grandcst mountain in the United States,
and he has seen and knows them all He
has not yet computed the height of Mount
Stuart, but says 1t is approximately 5000
feet. While there he made observations
whereby he will be able to compute the
height of Rainier, and the result, as to
the ''hills, will be anxiously looked for.
The elevation of Mount Stuart above sea
level Is $500 feet, or 5000 feet higher than
Ellensburg.
To read over the list of furs carried