Charlevoix county herald., 1912-11-30
CROSS cSHONYW CEY2119


aDybody's time and effort. The males
" OF this great cross. when viewed
close at hand, will never be forgotten
by the onlooker."
The Mount of the Holy Cross has
been a source OF inspiration TO poets
and painters for generations. Eugene
Field has written pretty legend con
corning il. He tells OF a monk. who
is informed in a vision that his sins
will not be forgiven until he finds
suspended between heaven and earth
the symbol of the faith. The monk
journeys many years through many
lands, and at last he penetrates the
| widest part OF the Rocky mountains.
and, beholding the cross on the noun
tain. falls to his knees in rapture.
knowing that the vision has been full
filed.
Probably the most famous painting
OF the Mount of the Holy Cross is the
work of the celebrated artist, Thomas
Moran. This painting is more or less
idealized, but It catches the stern
majesty of the mountain. It has been
copied and reprinted ON postcards,
and is one of the first pictures the
western tourist generally sends to this
folks at home. The views OF the
cross vary greatly, according to ones
position, but the finest is from GER
tain point on Notch mountain, very
difficult OF access and reached by few
artists or camera men
Assembled the Cross
Several years ago two daring young
Observation-Disclosures made up their
minds TO ascend the cross itself After
long and perilous trip, they reached
the base OF the great chasm OF rock
containing the snowbank which forms
the upright of the cross Ii is esti.
mated that this upright is at least l.
geo feet in length, while each of the
side arms is about 800 or 400 feet.
These ch&sms, which ara always
filed with snow, form perfect cross.
When the surrounding SHOWS have
melted in summer, the snow in the
deep chasms OF the cross remains I'M
melted, and in July and August and
early September the cross looms up
as If painted in white on the granite
side of the mountain.
The daring climbers assembled the
steep slope OF snow until they reach
cd the arms OF the cross. One OF them
had done some Alpine climbing, and
he brought an ak anti rope. 1t was
necessary to cut many steps in the
! icy slopes. The climbers we're in
danger Of losing their lives at every
step. but they actually climbed out
| one of the side arms, and from there
managed to descend in safety. That
is the only time the cross itself has
ever been climbed. though Enos
Mills, probably the most celebrated
mountain-climber in the west, has
scaled the peak.
The Mount of the Holy Cross ie
part of the Saguache range, pro
nounced "Sawatch." 1t Is 14.170 feet
in height, according to official esti
mates. Mount Massive, near Lead
vile. is part OF the same range, and
Is the highest peak IN Colorado be
ing 14,424 feet high. The Mount oil
the Holy Cross Is higher than Pixies
Peak by 81 feet. II is very rocky
en- its summit. and contains little yer
6ure. hence 1t Is not used for sheer
grazing, as are some of the less pre-
c.pitous peaks OF the Rockies.
The mountain climbers OF Colorado
recently organized Rocky Mountain
Climbing club. for the purpose OF ex
ploring the main peaks OF tho Grea
Divide and adding to the general sun
OF information concerning the noun
tuins. The Mount OF the Holy eros,
Is one of the peaks to be assembled u
Che most skilled climbers In tn,
club. Maps will be made. routes TO
trails will be recommended. and It Il
expected that the public will be givei
much valuable information concern
ms the mysterious mountain, who's
white symbol Is visible for man.
miles throughout the Holy Cross re
| gion. With the difficulties Of the tri
smoothed away 1t Is not unlikely tina
the recent pilgrimage of Colorad
cburchmen will be repeated by man
who have heard OF this unique mouI
tain. and who wish to gaze on II
| symbol OF snow.