The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1912-07-31
ASCEND THE
big MOUNTAIN
CONTINUED from first page)
mass Of slisteninE ice in the moon
light
Camp Muir

Camp Muir
When Camp Muir was reached, the
part yhad attained height of 10000
feet. Here a short rest was taken
and. then the rock work began. The
Hive and around the immense and
threatening rock of Gibraltar, was
made in comparative safety, Cor the
trail was clear and there were no
falling rocks. One Of the dangerous
points on the whole trip is the trail
around Gibraltar, which is a mass Of
agglomerate that Is constantly disin-
tegrating because of the alternate
freezing and melting of the Ice and
snow on its top and sides. In the day
time. when the sun is shining on the
great rock the ice melts, releasing
the agglomerate in masses, great and
small, that rain down over the trail,
making 1t necessary for the climbers
to frequently seek shelter under the
overhanging rock.
Around Gibraltar
Then comes the climb up the chute,
which the party found cased in ice.
1t was necessary to cut steps here and
end one man ahead with the rope to
anchor it above and enable those be-
low q safe handhold to make the too
OF the rock. When all had finally
gained this, a glorious panorama was
spread out to their view. In front
of them and along which they had
been elm bing for hours. was the Mis-
qually glacier. which has its begin
ming at their feet. To their back and
~ = r. - Al r.
litz glacier. These two glaciers. ris-
ing together so to speak, form rivers
below that finally reach the Pacific
hundreds of miles apart.
Slow Work Higher Up.
: From here on the work. is slow
though comparatively safe. for the
remainder of the climb is through the
snow. with heref and there erevasse
that the experienced eye of the guide
sees and takes his party safely over
AS the higher altitude is reached
those in the party are able to take
Z but few steps at time. because lof
the effect Of the ratified air on the
lungs and hearts of the climbers
Catching their breath. otter frequen,
rests, they continued to plunge up.
ward through the snow until they at
last reached the summit, the rim ii
the crater, which is outlined in rock
the snow having melted and revealed
rough but invitig stones cast up b,
the upheaval Of the now extinct vol
cano thousands of years ago.
The party reached the summit a;
S:25 Monday morning. After taking
- rest they spent some time in the
crater, visiting the caves made in tn (
Ice and snow by the jets of stoan
and sulphur coming from below. The
crater is about half mile in dante
and is like a great bowl filled witt
snow The three peaks are climbed
and then the party retraces its steps
finding it easier to go down than up
The utmost caution must be used, es-
pecially in going down around Glib
Z 4raltar, for now the sun is shining 81
It and the, great mass is shedding
stones at a dangerous rate. Well -pss
this and on to the snow fields beloN'
Camp Muir,tthere is but, little dan
ger if ths smenlbers of the party dt'
! set oyer inte the Nisqually glacier
The party reached camp at / 3
.o'cl9ekl Monday ;, ,afternoon. makins
the return trip in fless than half the
time ititook to climb to the crest.