The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-01

two had signified their desire to turn
back. both feeling dizzy and sick. Bid
ding good-by to these, we scrambled on
over loose cragged rocks and snow. up
ward, with no definite trail, finally COM
ing TO the impregnable Gibraltar. which.
until few years ago. was an insur-
mountahle barrier. II was now $50 a.
m. Soon We were crossing on shelf
from six inches to six feet in width
about Gibraltar and over 40 feet in
length on one side of this mammoth rock.
which is a thousand feet high. This Is
one OF the most dangerous points of the
journey. Below, one side, could be
seen the glacial formations. which first
looked beautiful and then awful. Turn
ing to the other side yawning chasms
told OF the dangers OF 4 miss-step. 1t
was here the lifeline was first put into
use, and each one took firm hold. lest
he miss his footing and be dashed 10
death below. During the ascent OF Glib
raitar, occasional rocks would come
down from above. one big one strikin.
the writer on the shoulder. Soon We
were upon ground where with ice-pick.
We cut footing in the snow, step by
step, when. after half an hour the nat
urai snow steps were reached, aud We
were soon at Camp No Camp. with the
terrors OF Gibraltar over with, at an al
tttude OF u coo feet. After this struggle
OF two hours We finally shouted our feel
inss Of great triumph. 1t was then 10
O'Clock, and the canteens were opened for
a sip Of tea. and matted food tablets dis
trseuted. together with prunes, raisins
and bareback.
With the motto Alta Pelius." We were
up and pressing onward. The Snow was
found covered with an icy surface, which
our alpenstocks could only with difficulty
perstrate. There was not a faint heart
among our party. II was Mount Raj
nier or bust. Inclines ahead were only
= few degrees of the vertical but We had
an indoni;sble viii to succeed In cur
undertaking. Il had been hoped that
the snow surface would be soft. but
much 10 our chagrin Ii was frozen hard.
Onward and upward We pressed, only
making five to ten feet at a time. Great
difficulty in breathing was experienced.
and the rests had TO be frequent AS
soon as the lungs were filled with air we
made progress ahead. AT II A. m we
took temporary shelter under creyasse.
where new energy was stored for me
balance Of the trip. Food was offeres. TO
the party but none but myself partook.
All realized that We must hurry and take
advantage OF the sunlight The climb
was getting more dangerous ard great
caution must be exercised During the
ascent OF the next 100 feet the writer
slipped. falling fifteen feet from the life
line, and by mere luck was able TO get
q grip n the snow and stop the awful
DOWN. ard ascent. IL consumed nearly
half an hour In cautiously refracinr
steps alone TO the lifeline Again We
Forged our way ahead. every man oh
serving cautiously the footsteps OF tna
man ahead Step cutting in the ice by
the forward man IN the party vas ksn-
Up continually, beirg relieved every few
minutes oy others. The wind was ge.-
ting colder ard blowing some thirty
niles an hour. when another If our parry
slipped, jerking the lifeline almost from
car grasp With each step that was I'm
Planted in the snow force was placed on
the fnoS that a secure f0ozhold r7teh-
BE- had The caiks in my shoes were no,
long enough. and the hold was very little
strength vas fast leaving several Of tsa
party. and they impIored for rest. Tire
strict command was given that We must
Tot stop 80 Il would result sar4orst>-
lattle was said, save sharp .ert5s
OF warning looked down thou-
sands ~ feet below. pas. ;ha Nv
IA glaciers into our camn he w.
heart 4 Paradise valley. Surely :. -
tire sweetest spot on earth. Should 7 Ava~
reach g again We all felt our lfv@s v~a-a
IL the balance Being the first party ~
the year 70 make the ascent We "a =.
- A'fSs1s T0otaCIAs
in tAs snow 20 use We all a~zfsras =,
speaking words 81 hope and o91-a~. :.
times no hold vas secured n thA xroxr
bat VIII Cur slpenstocks We were MY
t1S A-tle he&5way. and the breathf~sr -
each enc vas painfully audible How
long must thls continual With the ..~v
"S'5, on, or" new struggle was bs~,7
LIE was worth little - Us All reoap
nixsd T. and serious thoughts alors vera
II fn2 minds 81 gil II was ss~sa~y-~ >.
lock back A. the awful holes belovv -.
TIE glaciers, with rhet- dark mouths .-4r
- reosive Ia should we fall agasr
hsSgec ne good doctor <er brandt r,Y4
Il was denied PERHAPS his reasoning was
correct. as weakness was prere~aAlA IN a
dtzxy head At last when nttle hoce
seemed 20 - iefE for IS. tae crater came
81 sight Each hrestAe6 a s.ter. PRAYER
OF sTases-.Esss. And seuraSe aaS VIII r.