1835.] Ascent of Chimborazo. 49 



began to clamber over a ridge which bordered on a very 

 elevated point of ice. It was mid-day. We ascended slowly, 

 and as in proportion to our progress over the snow we expe- 

 rienced greater difficulty in breathing, we readily regained 

 our strength, by stopping every eight or ten steps without 

 always sitting down. At an equal, height I think I have 

 remarked, that there is greater difficulty in breathing on 

 snow than on a rock. I shall endeavour, afterwards, to 

 explain the reason of this. We soon attained a black rock, 

 situated above the ridge which we had surpassed. We 

 continued to rise during some time, but not without under- 

 going great fatigue, from the want of consistence in the 

 snowy soil, which yielded to our feet, and in which we 

 sometimes sunk up to the middle. 



Notwithstanding all our efforts, we were soon convinced 

 that it was impossible to advance, as a little above the 

 black rock the soft snow was more than four feet deep. 

 We lay down on a mass of trachyte which appeared like an 

 island in the middle of a sea of snow. We had reached an 

 elevation of 5115 metres (16,777 feet). The temperature 

 of the air was 2*9 (37-2 F.). It was now 1 J P. M. Thus 

 after much fatigue we had only ascended 307 metres (1006 

 feet) above the place where we started. I filled at this 

 station a bottle with snow for the purpose of making a 

 chemical examination of the air contained in its interstices. 

 The object in view will be subsequently explained. In a 

 few minutes we descended to the place where we had left 

 our mules. I occupied a short time in examining the 

 geology of this part of the mountain and in collecting 

 specimens of the rocks. At half-past three we started and 

 at 6 o'clock reached the farm. The scene was splendid, Chim- 

 borazo never appeared so majestic as at this period ; but after 

 our failure we could only gaze on it with a feeling of regret. 



We resolved to attempt the ascent by the abrupt side, 

 that is to say, by the declivity which looks towards Arenal. 

 We knew that it was by this side that Humboldt had 

 ascended the mountain. The spot which he reached had 

 been pointed out to us from Rio Bamba, but it was impos- 

 sible to obtain correct information of the route which he 

 had followed, to enable us to reach it, as the Indians who 

 had guided this intrepid traveller were all dead. 



VOL. II. E 



