Dr Barry's Ascent to the Summit of Mont Blanc. 107 



make the attempt : and having procured six guides, I set out 

 the next morning (16th), at half past 8 o'clock. The occasion 

 appeared to create quite a sensation in the valley, as well among 

 the strangers who were there, as among the inhabitants ; and in 

 consequence, a number of persons assembled at the Union Hotel, 

 to witness our departure. 



Passing through the pine-wood, eastward of the Buissons 

 glacier, we reached successively the Chalet de la Parraz, Pierre 

 Pointue, and Pierre a TEchelle : the latter point by 12 at noon. 

 Here we overtook some men, employed by the guides to carry 

 thus far part of the baggage, consisting of wood, charcoal, extra 

 clothing and blankets, with several culinary utensils, and provi- 

 sions for three days. After accompanying us a short distance, 

 they took their leave, and returned to Chamonix. Several 

 chamois were now seen, for a few moments, passing fleetly over 

 the rocks just above us. We dined at this spot, and soon after- 

 wards entered upon the ice, at the foot of the Aiguille du Midi. 



Crossing the glacier de Buissons, and obliquely ascending, we 

 proceeded in a south-west direction, to the Mulcts, an isolated 

 chain of rocks, on one of which we hoped to pass the night. 



The difficulties usually met with in crossing the glacier, have 

 been particularly described by several preceding travellers, who 

 have been up the mountain.* On this occasion, the great width 



" The following is a true picture : — " It was the avalanche alone that 

 we had hitherto to fear, but now new dangers arose, from the crevi- 

 ces, those deep clefts in the ice formed by the constant movement of 

 the body towards the valley, which separates immense parts of it. The 

 higher masses, meeting with some slight opposition, remain stationary ; 

 the lower, proceeding in their course, widen the breach; and thus through- 

 out the whole glacier, in every direction, are formed tremendous fissures." 

 • •■••• a y^Q were surrounded by ice piled up in mountains, cre- 

 vices presenting themselves at every step, and masses half sunk into some 

 deep gulf; the remainder raised above us seemed to put insurmountable bar- 

 riers to our proceeding : yet some part was found where steps could be cut 

 with the hatchet, and we passed over these bridges, often grasping the ice 

 with one hand, while the other, bearing the pole, balanced the body, hanging 

 over some abyss into which the eye jienetrated, and searched in vain for tlie 

 extremity. Sometimes we were obliged to climb up from one crag of ice to 

 another, sometimes to scramble along a ledge on our hands and knees, often 

 descending into a deep chasm on the one side, and scaling the slippery preci- 

 j)ice on the other." — Narrative of an Ascent to the Summit of Mont Blanc, on the 

 Slh ^ 9th Avynsl 1827, ^y John Auldjo, Esq. of Trinity College, Camhridye, Id 

 Edition. — A volume which I recommend to those who may desire to sec a 

 more particular account. 



