The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1915-12-03

tudes. and therefore left at this
point my knapsack, containing my
raincoat, the remainder of my lunch
and few other incidentals.
Cutting Steps In the Ice.
After leaving the Keyhole the gen.
Gated by few cairns, but they were
very scarce. The footprints in the
snow of party that had made the
ascent the previous day we're of con-
siderable assistance and particular
ly in the Trough, where I found their
steps cut In the ice and crusty snow |
n did not have to cut more than six |
or eight steps, and as l had nothing
that could be used for the purpose
except my hunting knife this was very
fortunate.
"The ascent from the Keyhole to
the summit required an hour and
thirty minutes. In the Trough was
on all tours about half the time and
did considerable climbing over and
amongst the powders. I would char
acterize the ascent as dangerous rath-
er than difficult There was no snow
| of any consequence except in the
| Trough although the notes in the
| register on the summit showed that
the party had found two inches on the
summit the previous day.
Il had taken opportunity to enjoy
the many magnificent views on the
way up the peak, and 1t was fortunate
that l did so, as l there found a
storm brewing, the clouds being about
on the level with the top OF the peak,
and snow starting to fall. / made a
slight tour of the summit and then
located and examined the register OF
the Colorado Mountain Club.
Fighting a Snow Storm.
THE snowfall rapidly increased, SO
that in twenty minutes after reaching
the summit l started the descent, as
covering the steps in the ice through
the Trough. My fears were we'll
founded. More than half of the steps
were not only filled but entirely COW
cred and obliterated, so that it was
impossible to locate them. There were
several places from fifty to hun
dred feet wide or more between the
boulders alongside the Trough where
there was no sign of any footing, and
II one should start to slip it was
hard to see just where one might
expect to stop. The only certain place
appeared to be down near Glacier
Lake., some 1000 feet below.
"In these places / made steps by
repeated kicks with my heel, at the
same time making handholds higher
up with my hands In the crusty
snow.
Fortunately, was able to find the
steps in that portion of the side OF
the Trough that was covered with ice
In one place attempted to 20 down
over boulder by lowering myself
feet first, but after getting SO far that
swung freely below the chest
found It impossible to find safe foot
ing and had to climb up again over
the boulder. AS this bowlder was To-
Gated In a position with steep crusty
snow slope below 1t, the climbing ur
was attended with some danger, and
especially 30 as the first part of the
climbing consisted of series of kicks
and wriggles In an attempt to lift my
clothing clear OF the rough bowlde1
and to move forward at the same time
until could bring my foot or knee
into action.
"The trail was very dim after get
ting out of the Trough. Several timei
found, myself considerable. dis
lance above the trail and nearly des
cended through the transom, II Their,
Is one, instead of the Keyhole Thu
difficulties in the Trough and in los
ing the trail resulted nj my making
the descent to the Keyhole in an hou,
and thtrty-dve minutes, or five min
utes longer than the time required To-
the ascent.