The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-15

and certainly one of the easiest approaches
10 the summit of Washington. 1t Is a
| narrow path winding upward through the
zones of trees and scrub till it reaches
the slab covered upper slopes. The In
cline is not nearly SO steep as that OF the
shorter path up Tuckerman's Rayine. and
it is the best footway up the mountain On
the side Of Crawford Notch. The Inflated
pedestrians seem to have accomplished
over four-ifths OF their journey before
they were involved in seriovs peril. AT
least they got beyond the Bride Path
proper to the rock covered region Of the
summit. Mr.. Curtis body was found near
the Lake Of the Clouds, not long distance
from the top Of The mountain. They must
have been wandering in the storm for
hours when they reached the lake. as
Ormsbee would not have left his friend
until the situation became desperate and
succor had to be sought for the weaker
man. The Lake Of the Clouds half fills a
little depression in the side OF the noun
tain and Is popular among visitors to
Mount Washington Those who like a
cold dip sometimes take one in this lofty
iakelet. Mr.. Ormsbee had nearly reached
the relief he was seeking when he, too.
was overcome and persisted only a short
distance from the hotel.
This accident occurred in summer There
is in fact no period Of the year when the
atmospheric conditions in the upper reg
ions OF Mount Washington may not make
pedessrianism very unpleasant and some
times dangerous. Many who visit the
summit In midsummer find an uncomfort-
able degree Of chill sometimes peryading
the night air. There are enthusiastic
mountaineers. however. who climb one or
another summit of the Presidential Range
even In the depths of winter. About twelve
years ago the Appalachian Club built
substantial little house far up the side OF
Mount Madison. which. from the top of
Washington. seems to be only stones
throw away, to shelter winter tourists
From this house the top either of Madison
or Adams may easily be reached The
climbers OF the Appalachian Club have
sometimes found the snow six feet deep on
the mountain side. Such trip as this UP
the steep slope carrying blankets and two
or three days supply of provisions, camp
ing all night in the upper regions, expell-
ing Jack Frost from the friendly hut by
means OF dead scrub dug out OF the snow
and climbing to the summit to breathe the
arctic air far above the zone OF vegetation,
is adventure enough for one vino will con-
tent himself with anything less than the
The top Of Mount Washington has fire.
quently been reached in midwinter. While |
the signal service station was maintained |
at the summit throughout TIE year an |
operator would now and then make his |
way to the settlement below and back |
again. In summer one may live for weeks |
at the top Of Mount Washington and the |
mist below will prevent him from getting |
a glimpse OF q single SUNRISE or sunset. |
But on clear days in winter the view far |
and wide is unsurpassed and the out
lines of the entire mountain region may
be studied to better advantage then than
at any other time Of the year.
Until the sad accident of last week no
seriou. casualty has occurred ON Mount }