The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-09-13
The
Climbers

purposely. Judson Barnet, or "Jack,"
as we now call him, Is a wonderfully
clever, interesting man, and i 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.
l 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 ! 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 summAs. Jack and a few
others voiced the same desire. and
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 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 fiowery 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 1900 feet to the famous little al
pine village of Murren.
Here we had wonderful view Of
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
Byrons Lake Geneva, with its roman
tic castle. of Cbillon, spending two
weeks there. Then We came to Ter
matt. ] am real mountaineer now.
You should see me attired In a rough
suit, with spiked shoes, green hat
adorned with sprig of edelweiss and
my "ruck-sack" strapped to my back.
somewhat resemble Pilgrim on his
rough ard weary way. First we as
cended Monte Rosa, and two days
later braved the Matterhorn. / 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 slipped and turned my ankle
again. To proceed was impossible.
The guide told US Of sevctal 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,
was almost helpless-to the hut,
quarter of mile from the path. He
built fire and bandaged my ankle,
giving me instant relief, and I fell
asleep.
/ awoke several hours later, to find
a tempting spread, the contents of our
ruck-sack. We were ravenously hun
CRY and ate everything in sight. At
three o'clock a terrific snowstorm, in
all its fiendish fury, burst upon the
mountain. tried my best not to APP
pear frightened, but as the hours wore
on and inky darkness enveloped us,
wondered II the guide had forgotten
to come. All night long we strained
our ears for any sound which might
foretell the approach Of, the party.
Morning found the storm still raging.
Jack showed signs of worry. Our
food was entirely gone. At two
o'clock the sky cleared and we started
to descend. We hadn't gone far when
we were met by a searching party.
Two Of them escorted us to Zermatt.
II was a wonderful experience, but
] haven't the slightest desire to re-
peat II.
Jack Just brought the dreadful news
that four Of the original party were
lost In the storm. What a horrible
fate!
2 Tonight we stood upon the balcony
and watched the calm sunset lights
burn upon the Breithorn's crest One
last, faint, rosy glimmer touched the
Matterhorn. Then all grew gray and
colorless. Day was done. A shudder
passed over us both.
On.r ,,puox,oI r. S---