CHAP. X IN THE TELEKI VALLEY 175 



mountain consists of a series of almost vertical lava cliffs, 

 separated by slopes of volcanic ash and talus. The snow on 

 the ledges was in a very unstable condition, and rendered the 

 traverses along them highly interesting. Had there not been 

 good hitching points for the rope, it would have been risky. 

 Owing to the mist, it was impossible to see ahead and select 

 the best way down, and I was often compelled to retrace my 

 steps, and strike out blindly in a fresh direction, throwing 

 stones ahead to obtain warning of my approach to the next 

 cliff of lava. I was, therefore, not sorry when the snow was 

 restricted to mere patches, and the slope became more gradual 

 and passed into the swampy meadows beside the lake. 



Some dead lobelias supplied wood for a fire, on which I 

 boiled my thermometers, and warmed some beans. Meanwhile 

 I sketched the outline of the lake, and examined the glaciated 

 boulder-strewn barrier that supports it. Then, refreshed by the 

 food and rest, I crossed the ridge on the southern side of the 

 Hohnel valley, and collected in the valley to the south, till 

 gathering clouds and approaching sunset warned me to return 

 to camp. 



The camp on the ridge of agglomerate was too far from 

 the glaciers and the central peak to be of any use as a centre 

 for excursions upon them. Fundi Mabruk, a young porter 

 named Yussuf, and I therefore carried one of the mien's small 

 shelter tents and a few stores to the Teleki Valley. We 

 pitched our diminutive camp under the shelter of some 

 groundsel trees, a few hundred yards from Teleki's highest 

 point, and near some old glacial moraines, which ran across 

 the valley like railway embankments. My first excursion 

 from this point was spoiled by a slight attack of mountain 

 sickness. As this occurred at only the elevation of a little 

 under 15,000 feet, I was surprised and disappointed. I did 

 not like to confess this to Fundi, as it seemed safer to keep 

 him in absolute ignorance of the existence of this malady. 

 I therefore became absorbingly interested in the study of a 

 coarse block of lava, one part of which happened to form a 

 comfortable seat. Shortly afterwards the usual afternoon snow- 

 storm broke upon us, and I was glad of this excuse to return 

 to camp. The attack was very slight, I soon recovered, and 

 suffered no more inconvenience, except undue fatigue. 



