The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1912-07-22
The
Climbers

piQued me. Your accusations were
uncalled for. l am not secretive;
neither have I evaded your questions
purposely. Judson Barnet, or Jack"
as We now call him. Is a wonderfully
clever. interesting man. and / admire
him exceedingly. You may safely
crafty your curiosity with the infor-
nation that l 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" / 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 yt0
envious?. Our party arrived at Lu-
| cerne during the late afternoon, and
when / 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 its clearness, longed to
reach their SUBMITS. Jack and few
others voiced the same desire, and
our consuming ambition became to-.
add notches to our alpenstocks.
Early next morning We ascended
Rigi to see the sun rise. What an
inspiring sight. Far below flowed
the River Reuss, and there was Lu-
cerne surrounded with its walls and
nine toll houses. resembling fairy
city" held In the fastness of the noun
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 fowery 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 loomed 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 2.2OO feet y 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
me she is the loveliest of mountains.
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 Zer-
matt | am q real mountaineer now.
You should see me attired In rough
suit, with spiked shoes, green nat
adorned with sprig OF edelweiss and
my "ruck-sack" strapped to my back.
| somewhat resemble Pilgrim on his
rough and weary way. First we as
cended Monte Rosa, and two days
later braved the Matterhorn. l did
not enjoy climbing 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 became frightfully IA
tigued and while scaling rugged
crag I slipped and turned my ankle
again. To proceed was impossible.
The guide told us OF several nuts
built to shelter stormbound climbers,
instructing us to remain there until
he returned, and not to attempt
descent Jack assisted me--in fact,
was almost helpless-to the hut, q
quarter Of mile from the path. He
built fire and bandaged my ankle.
giving me instant relief, and fell
asleep.
awoke several hours later, to md
tempting spread. the contents OF our
ruck-sack. We were ravenously hum
cry and ate everything in sight. At
three o'clock terrific snowstorm. In
all its fiendish fury, burst upon tho
mountain. l tried my best not to ap-
pear frightened, but as the hours wore
on and inky darkness enveloped US.
wondered II the guide had forgotten
to como. All night long we strained
our ears for any sound which might
foretell tho approach Of the party.
Morning found the storm still raging.
Jack showed signs OF worry. Our
food was entirely gone. At two
o'clock tho sky cleared and we started
to descend. We hadn't gone far when
we were met by searching party.
Two of them escorted us to Zermatt.
It was a wonderful experience. but
I haven't the slightest desire to re-
peat II.