an Attempt to ascend Chimborazo. 97 



repeated. During my excursions in the Andes, 1 have always 

 kept this rule in view. 



We now began, more than had previously been the case, to 

 experience the effects of the rarefaction of the air. We were 

 compelled to stand still every two or three steps, and often 

 even to sit down for some seconds. But so soon as we had sat 

 down we again rose up ; for our suffering only lasted while we 

 were in motion. Soon the snow assumed a character which ren- 

 dered our progres.s, however slow, dangerous. The snow was 

 soft, and was hardly three or four inches thick ; under it there 

 was a very hard and very smooth ice. We were obliged to cut 

 steps, in order to have a secure footing. The negro went before to 

 perform this work, but it exhausted him. As I was endeavour- 

 ing to pass him, in order to relieve him, I slipped, but, for- 

 tunately, was vigorously supported by Hall and my negro. 

 For an instant we three all stood in the greatest danger. This 

 accident rendered us for a short time undecided ; but we soon 

 acquired fresh courage, and resolved to advance. The snow 

 became more favourable, we exerted all our energies, and at a 

 quarter before four, we arrived at the longed for ridge. We 

 found ourselves at the foot of a trachyte prism, whose upper 

 surface, covered by a dome of snow, formed the summit of 

 Chimborazo. 



The ridge upon which we had ascended was only a few feet 

 in breadth. On all sides we were surrounded by precipices ; 

 round about us the most singular neighbourhood presented it- 

 self. The dark colour of the rock was contrasted in the most 

 remarkable manner, with the dazzling whiteness of the snow. 

 Long icicles seemed to be suspended over our heads. One 

 might have said that a splendid waterfall had been frozen. The 

 weather was delightful ; only in the west a few small clouds 

 appeared. The air was perfectly still; the view boundless. 

 Our situation was new, and afforded us the most lively "^satis- 

 faction. 



We were at an absolute height of 6004 metres, the greatest 

 elevation to which, I believe, man has hitherto attained on 

 mountains. 



At two o'clock the barometer stood at 371.1 lines (13 inches 

 8.5 Lin. Fr.) the mercury being at 7*'.8 cent. In the shade of 



VOL. XIX. NO. xxxvii. — .lui.y 183.5. r. 



