1891-92-] Earth Pyramids of the Austrian Tyrol. 31 



compass, which I have always found useful in travelling. I 

 started just as the neighbouring clock chimed half - past 

 eight. To look at it from a distance, my destination did 

 not seem much of a climb, but when I came to try it with 27 

 lb. under a hot sun it meant pretty hard work. I had walked 

 up till about 1 1 o'clock, and had not got much encouragement 

 as to the object of my search ; so, seeing a small farmhouse a 

 little off the beaten track, I went to make inquiries, and also 

 to refresh myself ; after which the old man of the farm took 

 me down to the edge of a field and pointed out the valley, and 

 there I photographed my first view of the earth pyramids. 

 Thanking the old man for his kindness, I departed to seek a 

 closer inspection of those curiosities. 



I had walked for about a mile when I became aware of a 

 large piece of rock gradually growing out of the valley on my 

 left hand, and a few steps more showed me that I had come 

 upon the giant of the vale ; but to photograph it was to be a 

 rather ticklish job. " Faint heart never won a photo of earth 

 pillar," thought I ; so down I went into a thicket of grasses, 

 weeds, and thorns, waist-deep, until I obtained a suitable 

 position, and was even then not on very safe footing, as it was 

 of a crumbly nature. However, I managed to take a photo- 

 graph, and on looking around to see where I would be able to 

 obtain a better view, I noticed that were I to get to the other 

 side I would have a much better view of it ; so again I 

 struggled with the weeds and undergrowth, and, after three- 

 quarters of an hour, managed to get to the desired position. 

 Having exposed another plate on it, I rested a while, then 

 pursued my course to procure a view or two of the range of 

 the Bosengarten, and about one o'clock I had reached the 

 termination of my ascent, having attained an altitude of 3795 

 feet, and having accomplished a climb of 2915 feet. See- 

 ing some very fine clouds gathering over the mountains, I 

 immediately took two snap-shots at them ; and as I did not 

 like the general appearance of the sky, I determined to return. 

 Having got down as far as the earth pyramids again, I could 

 not resist taking another photograph, and had just finished 

 packing up my camera when the rain began ; and it did rain, 

 I can tell you, as it generally does in mountainous districts, so 

 I had a rather wet walk of two hours' duration. But I arrived 



