The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1901-07-25
THE ASCENT OF MT. WASHINGTON.
[Concl- .lded.l

StS UtlOlt utSCllDtU. LAllCl SlOoolbS
the Peabody river on roughly con-
Structed bridge walk of mile or
more brought me to the junction of the
Gorham and Mount Washington roads
and more open country. About four
miles of one of the widest and most
romantic regions among the mountains
had been traversed since entering the
forest, and as yet there had been no
encounter or dispute with wild animals.
Perhaps they might not have been play
ing the role of 1.-The early bird AS the
darkness hid all except the dim out
line of objects | was unable to appre-
ciate the picturesqueness OF the scenes
through which | was passing. How
ever, these views were reserved for
later hour when | should return. From
this point a three-mile walk enable
me to reach the glen at the base of
Mount Washington, and at little dis
lance the outlines of the Glen house
could be seen, A journey of ten miles
had been accomplished and yet but a
faint indication of the coming day APP
peared AS there was some doubt in my
mind concerning the proper directionin
which to find the mountain road the
SAUNDERS of the proprietor of near
by cottage were disturbed for the pur-
pose of asking for that information
The proper directions were kindly given.
When once started on the mountain
road there was no difficulty in keeping
the way. Two year, previous COM
pany was formed for the purpose of
engineering and building road from
the southeast side to the top of the
mountain, and after making the road
about half the distance-the whole dis
19nce was seven miles-the company
13lled. 1t was not what would be term
ed smooth road, but considering the
obstacles met with in its construction
it was thought to be an able piece of
engineering The first mile Of ascent
was quite gradual compared with sue
teedmg miles. The road III its circuit
0ljS and zig Zag course extended through
about two miles OF the forest belt which
extends from the base of the mountain
np its sides Near the base there was
considerable earth with which to grade
the road, but at higher attitudes every
SJep was INSTRUCTED by rock. the re-
moyal OF which required a vast amount
Of labor BY the wayside were to be
itr1-+4i,la al,
Hsed in sharpening and repairing i'm
liements. At intervals small shanties
1or shelter appeared. They We're con
Structed OF frame Of poles covered
with bark from spruce trees. At one
point deep narrow cIasm was spanned
ny bridge constructed of hewn tim
Der, At the left the bridge rested
against the abrupt mountain wall.
while at the right it hung at giddv
height over the chasm. When about a
mile of the ascent had been accom-
plished the magnificent spectacle of
the rising sun gliding the peaks of the
adjacent mountains-Madison and JEFF
ferSon-Was witnessed, while the cur
tain Of night had not yet risen suf-
GENTLY to make objects distinguishable
IN the glen below
When the halfway house, d rough
unfinished structure, kept for the pur-
pose of entertaining tourists Ell route
had been reached, tie keeper of the
place was asked for information and
directions to some of the points of in
terest. His evasive answers furnished
little OF no information. Perhaps he
may have considered it unsafe to give
such directions to one wholly unac-
quainted with the mountains, and pos
sibly he may had a guides fee in view.
However, the journey was continued
depending upon self-observation for in
formation. From the terminus Of the
road the way continued over bride
path which was very circuitous, while
much of the way the steepness of the
grade made movements slow and diff
cult Much of the way the path had
the appearance of a ditch varying in
depth from two to five feet. A great
amount of labor had been expended in
removing the rock, etc, to make it
passable for man or beast. Tourists
usually made the ascend on horse back,
and when descending it was customary
TO allow the horse to descend rderless
IN advance. y large number of horses
were kept at the Glen house, trained
for that purpose While great many
visitors preferred to ride, many had
more confidence in their own ability to
perform the journey i'll safety on foot.
1t is a we'll known fact to those who
have had experience in mountain climb
sng Shat to enable one to enjoy to the
fullest extent an excursion of that ma
ture, the following requisites are neces-
sary: physical power of endurance and
keen appreciation of objects and pic
tureSque scenes met in the upward
course and the grandeur of the distant
view from the highest point. The