144 ASCENT OF CHIMBORAZO. 



for which we are indebted to Alexander G. Taylor, Esq., of Monterey. 



Ed.] 



On the 23rd of June, 1802, the most distinguished of modern tra- 

 vellers, the illustrious Humboldt, accompanied by Bonpland, attempted 

 the first ascent of Chimborazo. A peaked rock, which presented an in- 

 surmountable obstacle, forbade their progress higher than 5900 metres 

 (19,357 feet) on this mountain, which was then reputed as the loftiest 

 in the world, and which still holds the first rank among the giants of 

 the Andes. Thirty years after, December 15, 1831, M. Boussingault, 

 who had long and scientifically explored the equatorial Cordilleras, 

 undertook the ascent which had baffled his predecessor, proceeding by 

 Chillapullu, which appeared to be the easier, though somewhat longer, 

 route ; but being frustrated in this direction, he made a second attempt 

 by Humboldt's route, the Arenal. He thus attained the prodigious 

 elevation of 6004 metres, that is, 19,700 feet, beyond his predecessors ; 

 but, like them, he was arrested by impassable rocks. 



Now it is no wonder that we lost all hope of reaching as great a 

 height as these famous travellers ; but having carefully scanned the 

 rounded and snowy summit from Guayaquil, we could not relinquish 

 the idea that it might yet be found accessible ; and a third attempt to 

 reach the top of Chimborazo was fixed upon therefore by Mr. Brenchley 

 and myself. 



On the 21st of July, 1856, when traversing the plateau of the Andes 

 towards Quito, we halted at the foot of the stupendous mountain. 

 Two days were devoted by us to studying its outline and general fea- 

 tures, with the telescope, and to scanning every point and elevation and 

 depression on the gigantic dome, which promised to favour our upward 

 way. The course adopted by Humboldt and Boussingault struck us 

 from the first as the most practicable, till arriving at the rocky barrier, 

 quite perceptible from below, through which no issue could be descried. 

 After we had carefully made the almost entire circuit of the colossus, 

 we turned our steps to Quito, deferring the attempt till we should have 

 hardened ourselves to bear the severe climate of the lofty Cordillera. 

 We visited Pichincha, Cotopaxi, and several other giants of the Andes, 

 and on the 2nd of November we were once more at the foot of Chim- 

 borazo, and encamped at an absolute height of 4700 metres (15,420 

 feet), rather below the level of perpetual snow, in a valley situated be- 

 tween the Arenal and the point where the Biobamba road divides from 



