36 MOUNTAIN OBSERVATORIES IN AMERICA AND EUROPE. 



made on mule-back in about eight hours and the self-recording instru- 

 ments of the station are visited periodically. Mountain -sickness, in 

 some form, is almost invariably experienced by visitors. This hijah- 

 level station is only a part of an extensive series of meteorological 

 stations established by the Harvard College Observatory. 



Another high-level observing station is on the summit of El Misti, 

 19,200 feet high. In February, 1894, the Misti was covered " with 

 enormous quantities of snow." It is intended to establish other 

 meteorological stations on the eastern slopes of the Andes, so as to 

 make a thorough study of the climate from the Pacific eastwards. 



A high-level meteorological station has also been opened at Cayal- 

 loma (15,500 feet) and 70 miles north of Arequipa. 



The line of meteorological stations maintained by the Harvard Col- 

 lege Observatory now (1895) extends from the coast, across the Andes, 

 to the valley of the Amazon. They include Mollendo (altitude 10( > 

 feet), La Joya (4150), Arequipa (8060), Alto de los Huesos (13,300), 

 Mt. Blanc station on the Misti (15,600), El Misti (19,200), Ciizco 

 (11,000), and Santa Ana (3000). 



Near Arequipa there are three very high peaks — Pichupichu (18,600 

 feet). El Misti (19,200), and Chachani (20,000). 



In Appalachia (vol. vii.) Prof. W. H. Pickering gives a very 

 instructive account of his ascent of El Misti, which is an active vol- 

 cano, as has been mentioned. The Indian guides and porters, carrying 

 fifty pounds, were not at all affected by mountain-sickness and kept in 

 front of the best climbers of Professor Pickering's party. At 16,600 

 feet one of the party was obliged to give up the ascent on account of a 

 severe attack of mountain-sickness. All the party were much affected 

 at the last camp (18,440 feet). Professor Pickering and the guides 

 alone reached the summit (19,200 feet) on the next day. 



Mr. Waterbury, formerly of the University of California, was in 

 charge of the meteorological instruments on El Misti, etc. (19,300 feet), 

 till 1896. It was his duty to make the ascent once in ten days at lea^st, 

 and he has accomplished fifty-two such ascents. Most persons, he 

 says, are greatly distressed by mountain-sickness at such elevatiois, 

 but he " experienced little trouble." " Wind is always blowing on the 

 mountain at a rate of 30 miles per hour ; and the temperature ranges 

 from + 38 ° to ° F. The trip occupies two days, the first night 

 being spent at a shelter station at 6000 feet. The rest of the ascent 

 takes five hours. A bridle-path has been made after great difficulty, 

 to the summit and mules now go to the top, tlic highest elevation that 

 they have ever reached." 



Professor Pickering has some further remarks on mountain-sick- 

 ness as observed at a mountain camp on Chachani at a height of 16,600 



