A REMINISCENCE OF THE ROCKIES 



the summit, called the Razor Back. Th'e 

 ascent of this mountain was not particularly 

 easy, on account of its abrupt elevation, 

 although the height above the surrounding 

 country was not great. The formation at 

 the summit, which gave the unpoetical name 

 of Razor Back to the mass, consisted of a 

 long, narrow ridge, not more than eighteen 

 inches to two fe'et in width, bristling with 

 sharp projections of rock of quite uniform 

 height extending nearly its entire length of 

 about ninety yards. At each end it broadens 

 out in a space conveniently large for a tem- 

 porary resting place. After satisfying my 

 curiosity, I suggested a descent into the valley, 

 where* the cool atmosphere would afford a wel- 

 come relief from the blazing rays of the sun. 

 Much to my surprise, the guide informed me 

 that the ascent was much easier at the point 

 we came up than the descent, unless I wished 

 to reach the bottom in a fashion that would 

 imperil my neck. After discussing the matter 

 ii 



