Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-06-01
FOUR DAYS ON MANSFIELD
College Y. M. G. A. Men Return
Full of Enthusiasm.
Npproach and Breaking of Thunde,
storm an Incident of the Wide Va
riety of Weather Experienced
on the summit.

Ihe party which went on the College
Y. NJ G. A. trip to Mount Mansfield re-
turned Tuesday night on the eight O'Clock
train from tnderhl after stav on the
mountain Of four days Of most pleasant
weather
Inc main squad Of the party went 70 the
mountain on Saturday some going 10
underhill by bicycle and the rest by train.
Dut all joining to make the ascent 20.
gether. This was completed at FIVE o'clock
In the afternoon, the climb having start
ed from a farm house IN t-nderhill Center
where the luggage was sent, at If o'clock
in the forenoon. The heat Of tine day was
decidedly noticeable under the weight Of
the two army hav'rsacks which formed tho
ballast OF each man. until near the top
OF tho trail the breeze which almost per-
petuaIIN brushes across Mansfelds sum-
NIT greeted the crowd in a spirit Of for
giveness for the severity Of the lower
trail AT the summit the proper fashion
of spring was located and camp pitched
nearby. Here the camp remained, hold
ing out hospitality TO all who passed;
hunters trappers, plain, ordinary hikers
from stowe and other parties of campers
up for but a shortwinded stay, until yes
terday afternoon when It coded the terri
tory 10 a double party Of eight.
During the stay on the summit tho
party experienced almost every variety
Of weather in tho weather man. collec.
ton. The days were hot indeed except or
the very top ridge which got a comforting
breeze; the nights were riotouslY cold
and damp with a husky wind whose chief
desire seemed to be- to upheave things In
general. especially things like tents. The
most interesting experience of all in this
weather vaudeville was being among the
clouds during the approach ard breaking
Of a thunder storm. This happened on
Monday afternoon although little rain
was experienced on this side of the noun
tain. The main storm passed around the
east side Of Mansfield. The tumblirg Of
the clouds over the peaks and their re-
vival and consequent rise from the valleys
was a most fascinating sight, added to
largely by the spectacular display II
thunder and lightning. The storm clear
co over the mountain sufficiently to leave
a delightful rainbow and to open up
view of Lake Champlan on the weSt and
a panorama Of the Adlrondacks and the
territory extending into Canada. It was
a rare treat to experience such view
IN the light and cooring of a setting sun
such as that of Monday night.
The crowd tramped over the whole peak
from forehead to chin in a thorough fash
ion, reconstructed some Of the collapsed
cairns, cleared bit here and there along
the trails, taking in everything reachaole
and sporting a bit with the snow which
ratched the east side OF the peak and
filled the cave.
Monday night was Renaissance
night and after Tipping coins for the
determining of tho shifts" for the night
watch Of the camp fire, stories were
told for nearly three hours.
Tuesday morning, cheers were hurl-
ed against the east wall of the nose
and the sharp echoes returned in
marked fashion. This clearness and time
of the echo led to the suggestion on
the first night Of camp that call
for rising be sent out against the wall
at II at night go that ii would return
ut six in tho morning and arouse the
slumbelers. After the cheering and the
morning tramp, preparations were conf
mencad for the descent. This was fair
~ speedy descent, tho crowd, with packs
ON shoulders emerging and arriving at
the farmhouse one hour and Eit
after leaving camp on the carriage road
below the summit
II seemed recrettahle that this return
trip had to be made SO soon, bat t.,rt
Is the bright hoic that there may come
just such another opportunity with llst
such weather.