in the Neighbourhood of Chamounix, in Savoy. 79 



On the 13th of August, Couttet and I were again in motion 

 in order to attempt the ascent of the Aiguille Rouge. We 

 were aware that it was no easy task. We first passed near 

 Lac Blanc, remarkable for the traces which ancient glaciers 

 have left there, and by the moutonneed rocks which surround 

 it. Approaching the Aiguille Rouge, we arrived at a glacier 

 which is visited only by a few shepherds and hunters. The 

 aiguille we were anxious to reach is in the highest part, and 

 in the middle of this glacier. After examining it well, we 

 thought we could reach the summit, by following the southern 

 ridge. We traversed the length of the glacier notwithstand- 

 ing its crevasses, and reached the ridge, but there we encoun- 

 tered insurmountable diflftculties. We had again to descend 

 a part of the glacier on a rapid declivity full of crevasses, in 

 order to reach the ridge which connects this aiguille to the 

 other Aiguilles Rouges, on the north side. 



Walking along this snow-covered glacier with great precau- 

 tion, at the base of the aiguille we found some fragments of 

 rocks, which had fallen down from it. The importance which 

 I attached to the observation I had made, was more than 

 doubled at this instant. I was certain of finding interesting 

 rocks on the summit of this aiguille, if I could reach it. In 

 fact, these debris consisted of slates and limestones. After 

 this discovery, Couttet, -nvho had never believed in the possi- 

 bility of finding these rocks on the peak of the Aiguilles 

 Rouges, became as desirous as myself to gain the summit. 



Although the ascent appeared to us difiicultfrom the ridge 

 where we now stood (2802 metres, by barometer), we did not 

 despair of accomplishing it. We deposited our provisions 

 near a beautiful vein of quartz and tourmaline, taking nothing 

 with us but a hammer and my barometer. After climbing to 

 a great height over rocks partly fallen, and along terrible 

 precipices, we arrived at a ridge of snow and ice too much 

 inclined, and bordered with too formidable precipices, to ren- 

 der it possible for us to pass. We continued long consider- 

 ing whether there might be the means of cutting steps in 

 the snow, but all was vain. It was not till Couttet declared 

 to me that they never, either in ascending Mont Blanc, or 

 in chamois-hunting, attempted to cross such places, that I 



