The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1912-09-13
The
Climbers

neither have I evaded your questions
purposely. Judson Barnet, or Jack"
as we now call him, Is a wonderfully
clever, interesting man, and l admire
him exceedingly. You =. may safely
crafty your curiosity with the infor-
nation that I am not in love with
him.
Weren't you surprised to receive my
card postmarked Switzerland? This
has been rightly designated the play
ground of Europe" I have had such
a perfect time and dislike to think
that but one more week remains to
enjoy the scenery.
have actually climbed five giant
mountains Of the Alps. Aren't you
envious? Our party arrived at Luz
cerne during the late afternoon, and
when 1 viewed those majestic noun
tains, hedged about with mystery
the glaciers filling the neighboring
valleys-the snowpeaks, whose white
outline against the sky was cameo
like in it's clearness, 1 longed to
reach their SUBMITS. Jack and few
OIhOl0 NOlNCu lilo oohO oOoAA % ohN
our consuming ambition became to
add notches to our alpenstocks.
Early next morning We assembled
Rigi to see the sun rise. What an
inspiring sight! Far below flowed
the River Reuss, and there was Luz
cerne surrounded with it's walls and
nine toll houses, resembling fairy
I. l. h. o., 0f he
tains by some powerful enchanter.
The pink-gold light of dawn her
aiding the approach Of day touched
each tip Of the towers, then spread
over the f1owery fields of the valley.
This seemed strange when We were
surrounded by snow fields.
The following week we went to
Lake Brieng and crossed to Inter
laken. Here the Incompatible Jung
frau doomed invitingly in the distance.
The mountain would not come to us,
so, like Mohammed, We went to the
mountain. At Lauterbrunnen village
we took the cable cars, which lifted
us 1900 feet to the famous little al
pine village of Murren.
Here We had a wonderful view of
Jungfrau. This maiden Of the Alps
appeals strangely to one. She is sur
passed in beauty by Monte Rosa and
in grandeur by the Matterhorn. To
We reached the summit at sunset.
never imagined such wonderful col
oring possible! The evening clouds
and shadows gathered, and finally
night enshrouded the peaks with its
dark, silent pail. We descended half
way down the mountain and spent the
night at a picturesque Swiss inn,
where we sat around the huge fire
place relating strange experiences.
The following day We journeyed to
Byron's Lake Geneva, with its roman
| tic castle of Chillon, spending two
| weeks there. Then We came to Ter
matt. l am a real mountaineer now.
You should see me attired In a rough
suit, with spiked shoes, green hat
| adorned with a sprig Of edelweiss and
my "ruck-sack" strapped to my back.
| I somewhat resemble Pilgrim on his
| rough and weary way. First We as
cended Monte Rosa, and two days
later braved the Matterhorn. I did
not enjoy climbir g this mountain, and
you will hardly blame me when you
| have heard all.
Six of us started out, tied to the
same guide. After climbing for hours
and hours I bee anne frightfully IA
tigued and while scaling rugged
crag l slipped ard turned my ankle
again. To proce ed was impossible.
The guide told us Of several huts
| built to shelter stormbound climbers,
| instructing us to remain there until
he returned, and not to attempt a
| descent. Jack assisted me-in fact,
1 was almost helpless-to the hut, a
| quarter of a mile from the path. He
| built a fire and bandaged my ankle,
giving me instant relief, and fell
asleep.
I awoke several hours later, to find
tempting spread, the contents of our
| ruck-sack. We " ere ravenously hum
cry and ate everything In sight. AT
three o'clock srrific snowstorm, in
| dll us ueuulSu II ~, UuioI upOu Ihc
mountain. / trie 4 my best not to ap'
pear frightened, hut as the hours wore
on and inky darl ness enveloped us,
wondered if the guide had forgotten
to come. All nj: hit long we strained
our ears for any sound which might
foretell the app zach of the party
Morning found ae storm still raging
Jack showed gns of worry. Our
food was entir .ly gone. At two
o'clock the sky C cared and we started
to descend. We hadn't gone far when
we were met by searching party
Two Of them ESQ orted us to Zermatt
It was a wonC erful experience, but
I haven't the sill :htest desire to re
peat 1t.
Jack just brouf ht the dreadful news
that four of the original party were
lost in the storm. What a horrible
fate!
Tonight we ste cd upon the balcony
and watched the calm sunset lights
burn upon the 81 eithorn's crest. One
last, faint, rosy .;limmer touched the
Matterhorn. Tho n all grew gray and