The Icelandic Colonization of Greenland. 201 
which a river flows, coming from Igdlerfigsalik, the summit of which 
we suddenly saw rearing high up in the distance, free of clouds. 
It was half past eight when we reached the end of the valley, and 
we now ascended a very steep mountain flank to a table-land, which 
was deserted and barren, although it only lay about 1000 feet above 
the level of the sea. We passed along it until nine o’clock when we 
started on the real ascent in a somewhat slanting direetion towards 
the most southern of the mountain’s two summits, between which a 
sharp narrow crest ran. It was now dark and we had to proceed care- 
fully, step by step in the loose disintegrated syrenite, of which the surface 
of the mountain consisted right up to the top. At half past ten we 
crossed a turbulent river by a natural ice bridge. There was dead 
silence, and we clearly heard the icebergs “calving’” down in Tunugd- 
liarfikfiord outside the mouth of the Korok bay, at the head of which 
a glacier disembogues. Here and there we crossed slippery hard-frozen 
snow levels; but otherwise there was only gravel and stones on which 
our feet sipped. Every now and then we stood still awhile so as to regain 
our breath; but only once we sat down for a minute to refresh ourselves 
with a piece of bread and a little cold coffee — but the icy seat and the 
cold air soon made our warm bodies tremble, so that we had to proceed at 
onee. The moon had now risen, and shone over the mountains and valleys 
— far below. We reached the southern top at half past twelve, from here 
we continued along the narrow crest, which at times was only a few paces 
broad sloping steeply downwards on each side, and which in many places 
was furrowed by cracks, which we had difficulty in crossing. In one 
place an accident nearly happened; but when it became lighter we got 
on better. From the crest with its dizzy precipices on each side, we 
obtained by degrees a magnificent view. The snow gleamed fantastically 
on the high peaks and slopes as well as on the mighty levels of the 
inland ice; but down in the clefts and valleys the twilight still lingered. 
Not the slightest sound could be heard in the deep silence all round. 
We reached the most northern summit all safe and sound about half 
past one, after nearly seven hours of incessant wandering. It was not 
long before the sun rose on the northern heavens, spreading the most 
enchanting tinges of colouring over a glorious clime which unfolded 
itself befor us with glaciers, mountains and fiords. I hastened to draw 
what I saw, but it was bitterly cold, and I had difficulty in holding the 
pencil between my fingers. 
In a little cairn by a big natural stone-block we found a corked 
glass bottle and in it a visiting card, on which was written: 
“К. J. V. Steenstrup and Ole from Igaliko 23 July 1888. We saw 
nothing beyond the two stone circles, as there was a blinding snowstorm.” 
I wrote on the same card “19 July 1894. D. Bruun and Ole. Glo- 
rious weather.” 
