AN ASCENT OF MT. ORIZABA. 535 



summit. Ice work is unnecessary. The guides are of obliging dispo- 

 sition and moderate in charges. They wear sandals and for ice work 

 wrap their feet in strips of cloth. They provide the same primitive 

 and clumsy footgear for the tourist. Knickerbockers, woolen stock- 

 ings, canvas leggings or puttees, and shoes protected with rubber are 

 the most satisfactory clothing. The guides greatly admired my golf 

 stockings which were hanging before the fire at the cave. They would 

 feel them repeatedly exclaiming ' Magnifico, magnifico. ' 



The earliest recorded ascent of Orizaba is that made by some 

 United States army officers in 1848. But no one in the country cred- 

 ited their report. Three years later eighteen young men of different 

 nationalities formed a party and started for the summit. One man 

 after another dropped out of the company till finally only a French- 

 man by the name of Doignon was left. He persevered and after great 

 hardships reached the summit. Upon his return to Chalchicomula the 

 villagers ridiculed the claim. Consequently the following week he re- 

 peated the ascent and planted a flag upon the ridge of the crater, where 

 it could be plainly seen by the doubting inhabitants. He was received 

 with honor when he descended. Since Baron Muller's ascent in 1856 

 more than a dozen climbers have reached the summit and made many 

 measurements of altitude.* Miss Anna Peck, of New York City, who 

 is an experienced mountain climber, displayed great courage and endur- 

 ance in her ascent of Orizaba. She is the only woman who has ever 

 succeeded in reaching its summit so far as I am aware. 



* Reports upon the altitude of Orizaba : 

 North American Engineers 



in 1848 17,879 



Ferran 17,885 



Muller 18,133 



Doignon 18,178 (Determined by boiling point of water.) 



Scovill and Bunsen 18,174 " by aneroid barometer. 



Heilprin 18,205 



Kaska 18,270 " " mercurial " 



Scovill and Bunsen 18,314 " " triangulation. 



