1835.] Ascent of Chimborazo. 51 



hardened snow. It was derived from recent ruptures which 

 had taken place in the upper parts of the mountain. 

 These ruptures are frequent, and in the midst of the glaciers 

 of the Cordilleras, there are avalanches in which there are 

 more stones than snow. It was three-quarters past ten 

 when we left our mules ; as we walked upon rocks we 

 experienced no great difficulty. It might be said that we 

 mounted a ladder in bad condition. The only trouble was 

 in looking for stones on which we might tread with safety ; 

 we stopped to breathe every six or eight steps, but without 

 sitting down, and even this rest was made use of for col- 

 lecting geological specimens. But whenever we reached a 

 sunny surface the heat of the sun became suffocating, our 

 respiration difficult, and consequently our rests more fre- 

 quent and more necessary. 



At 111 A. M., we crossed an extensive table of ice in 

 which it was necessary to make notches in order to secure 

 our footing. This passage was dangerous ; a step would 

 have cost us our lives. We again reached debris of trachyte. 

 It felt like terra firma and enabled us to ascend a little 

 more rapidly ; we walked in a column, first myself, then 

 Colonel Hall, and lastly the negro, who followed our steps 

 exactly, to secure the safety of the instruments which were 

 intrusted to him. We preserved complete silence at this 

 time ; for experience had taught us that nothing is more 

 weakening than a conversation kept up at this altitude, 

 and when we rested, if we exchanged words, we spoke in 

 the lowest tone of voice. It is in a great measure to this 

 precaution that I attribute the state of health which I have 

 constantly enjoyed during my ascents to the volcanoes. 

 This salutary restriction I imposed in a despotic manner 

 upon all those who accompanied me. Upon Antisana, an 

 Indian, vi^ho had neglected this order, and had called upon 

 Colonel Hall (who had wandered during our passage 

 through a cloud) with all his strength of lung, was seized 

 with vertigo and incipient hemorrhage. We soon reached 

 the ridge which we wished. It had not the same appear- 

 ance which it presented at a distance. It contained little 

 snow, but it possessed escarpments which were difficult to 

 ascend. We were obliged to make extraordinary efforts, 

 and exertion is painful in these elevated regions. At last 



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