TYROL AND THE TYROLESE 



nails. Crampons, or steigeisen, are worn in the 

 winter, and in that season they are an absolute 

 necessity to the chamois-hunter. One must grow 

 accustomed to them, however ; till one has done so, 

 they are even a source of danger, the sharp spikes 

 being apt to trip up the beginner. 



The bergstock is one of the most important 

 points of the equipment of the mountaineer. It 

 should be of hazel (for the sake of lightness), strong 

 enough to bear one's whole weight without bending, 

 and a foot higher than the person who uses it. 



The number of tourists who lose their lives each 

 year in the mountains is extraordinary, generally 

 either through being unprovided with the necessities 

 for climbing, or in venturing on dangerous places 

 without guides. The summer of 1896 was par- 

 ticularly remarkable for the number of fatal acci- 

 dents in the Tyrol. 



The Tyrolese are excellent guides. Absolutely 

 reliable and sure-footed themselves, they take the 

 greatest care of their Herrn, and never lose their 

 heads in a moment of danger. 



An elderly trager, who always went with the 

 Prince during our time in the Tyrol, had a remark- 

 able adventure a year or two back. I give the 

 story, as I know it to be perfectly true, and it shows 

 the courage and resource of the old fellow. 



He was guiding a tourist over a dangerous bit of 



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