Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1909-05-26

FOUNTAINS
The perils encountered and precau-
lions necessary to be taken in climb
Ing the Alps, is given in an interesting
letter from correspondent, which fol-
lows:
Few days ago we started for a
mild winter climb up the Gemmi pass
"a mere walk in the summer-at 6
a. m. on a calm, warm morning. Be-
fore VIC were half way up snow came
on. and long before we reached the
Schwarrenbach we were battling with
ferocious blizzard. We were glad
to get off that mountain by six O'Clock
In the evening, descending the last
slopes in thick darkness and storm.
with avalanches laundering all
around us.
tell this simple tale as a casual H.
lustration of the perils of winter climb
ing. Since that day Switzerland has
been swept by an extraordinary storm
from the south, almost unprecedented
at this time of the year. costing at
least one very precious life and en-
dangering the existence Of many 9TH
ers. 1t Is the reminder of the great
mountains that they are not to be
trifed with in winter. Before more
lives are lost perhaps it may be as
well to ask what are the peculiar con-
ditions and perils of this winter climb
ing that promises to become the new
est development of an honorable
sport.
The extraordinary stiffness and
clearness that prevail in the Alps for
days together during the winter are
very likely to lull the average climber
into dangerous trustfulness. The
silence of the frozen streams produces
a sense of peace that contrasts danger
ously with the noisy vitality of the
spring and summer. During these
days or settled frost the avalanches
are dumb, the waterfalls hang in
waves of frozen Wilderness; the ice
falls or the great glaciers stand mo-
tionless. The deep blue OF the sap
phire sky behind the great ranges of
white mountains-for nearly all the
mountains are white in winter-pro-
duces sense of great confidence. The
old warnings against climbing the Alps
In winter seem childish panic. "If ONLY
one could get such conditions in sum
mer!" is the inevitable cry. This is
just what we have been waiting for
all our lives!"
But there are one or two considera-
lions on the other side. not ALWAYS
dwelt upon by the guides, who are per-
haps naturally anxious to add a sec
ond season to their first One IS the
fact that this clear and beautiful
weather, this weather of radiant sun.
shine and pellucid skies, is certain at
due intervals, generally of a fortnight
at time TO be interrupted by sud
den and violent snowstorms. The only
security against these is to watch the
barometer closely. and never TO climb
with falling glass. The advent OF
these storms is generally recorded
very promptly and accurately by our
faithful friend; but it takes some cour.
age TO obey his warnings and give I'D
planned expedition.
The second is that whatever condI.
lions impede climbing in the summer.
they impede It tenfold I'm winter. Take
snow, source Of great fatigue at the
best. In the summer you will not be
troubled with snow until you have
reached 5000 feet In the winter Won
begin with snow at 1000 or 1000 feet.
and continue with snow till the end.
Ski-running may and does do a great
deal to modify the fatigue Of these con.
diuons. But skis canno. abate the
great cold which so much snow brings
or remove the dangers OF cold on the
mountains.
NO true nountaineer laughs at frost
bite. II is the most terrible OF the
mountain perils, the most rapid in its
assaults. the most painful i'm it's con.
sequences, the most difficult 10 guard
against But there are one or two
rules which can be easily followed and
understood Frost bite prefers to at
tack the extremities, where the DOW.
er OF the heart is weakest. Something
can be done, therefore. by doubling
the gloves and stockings. More can
be done. perhaps, by resisting the
temptation 10 stand OF sit in soft snow.