Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-28

for Mont Blanc. None OF these mountains
having been assembled previous to the nine
teenth century, the real height OF the re-
spective peaks was not known, and hence
the question OF supremacy in altitude was
only an assertion, ir capable of proof, the
claim advar red by one country being as
good as that of its neighbor.
But with their ascent and the invention
of the aneroid, as we'll as other scientific
instruments. the altitude was definitely de-
termined. Mont Blanc lowered above all
European mountains. the Matterhorn was
higher than the Ortler and the latter higher
than the Gross Glcckner Nevertheless,
the Tyrolcans may justly be proud of their
mountain, which, if not the highest peak of
the Alps. Is certainly one of the grandest.
Viewed from St Gertrude it is indeed more
imposing tran the summit of Mont Blanc.
as beheld from Chamounix or the top of
La Flegere.
enormously stated in the guide books, the
highest peak of the Ortier group, from
Rhict range it is separated by surrounding
valleys. Its bI cad base of slate and gneiss
formation rising abruptly from innumera-
BILE grassy dales Is visible for miles and
miles. Its snowy hood, which gracefully
loses itself at the line of rocks and boul-
ders separates the peak into two distinct
halves. causing it to look from a distance
as though IN artist with enc sweep of the
brush had painted the upper part white.
MANY SlaCleFS projecting from every side
divide the mountain into large and small
segments, which are pleasing to the eye on
| account o. their symmetrical contour.
The Earliest Ascent.
Mountain torrents and streams pouring
forth volumes of foa ming water still more
enhance its beauty. but the enormity of it's
size when coEtrasted with the adjacent
| mountains is it's most distinguishing fea-
ture.
On the 9th of September in 1904, joseph
Pichler, channels hunter, the grandfather
of one of our guides bearing the same
NAME after many Intellectual attempts, as
cended the Ortier for the first time The
following year the noted botanist Gebhart
succeeded in res ching the summit on three
different occasions, after which no further
attempt was made until twenty-five years
later. when Pichler again reached the top
Since then the ascent has been made al
most annually by the members of the Aus
TRAN Alpine Club, who have erected a ref
use at the commencement of the glaciers,
where the journey to the summit is inter-
rupted by nights rest.
At Gomagoi. the second station upon the
Stelvfo. the highest as well as the most
beautiful carriage road in Europe / re-
solved to ascend the Ortler, not without
opposition, however, on the part of my
wife, who looked upon the undertaking as
dangerous and attended with peril. 1t
was useless to reason-she would posi-
lively not consent to my going alone. Be
iNecH Tue t"o COHhlctlOuS, tnaC IL was the
proper thing to ascend the mountain, and
also my duty to yield to the wishes of my
companion and remain below, 1 was on
the point Of abandoning the expedition
when it occurred to me that possibly
could induce my wife to accompany me
upon the ascent 1 made the proposition,
which met with immediate refusal-the
Dechstein was all the experience of that
kind that she desired. hut finally, when
she became convinced that was determin-
ed to go at all hazards. she yielded and we
started off together.
With the Guides Leading.
We left the Stevio to our right and walk ed
in the direction of the setting sun to St.
Ge rtrude in the lovely Sudden valley At
st. Gertrude. after having dined at the
hosiery under the charge of an aged
priest. who was such genial soul that we
left his abode with regret, we met our
guides and Immediately commenced our
ast ent. Sturdy fellows they were, too. es-
pecially Joseph Pichler whose heavy
frame. not to speak Of his Tyrolean hat
and feathers. caused him to loom above all