THE COL DU GtfANT 251 



arrived, they hasten to make their observations so as to descend before 

 nightfall. Thus they always reach great heights at about the same 

 time of day, and for a very short stay, and in consequence are unable 

 to form any true notion of the state of the air at other hours, still 

 less during the night. It seemed to me it would be interesting to 

 endeavour to fill up this gap in our meteorological records by making 

 a stay on an elevated spot sufficiently long to enable me to ascertain 

 the daily variations of the various meteorological instruments, and 

 to take advantage of the opportunity of observing the origin of meteor- 

 ological phenomena such as winds, rain, and storms.' [Voyages, 2005.] 



De Saussure's remarks on the advantage of prolonged visits 

 to the heights at other than the mid-day hours in which most 

 climbers attain them are, it may be pointed out, as true from the 

 picturesque as from the scientific point of view. Afternoon 

 shadows and evening lights add enormously to the effect of 

 mountain panoramas by lending a variety in colour and detail 

 lost under the equal glow of noon. The summit views that linger 

 most in my memory are those gained from heights reached early 

 or late in the day, either in the dawn or gloaming, or when every 

 lofty ridge and spur throws a long shadow. Prominent among such 

 recollections a*e the rising of the morning star above the crests 

 of the Caucasus seen from a height of 16,000 feet on the slopes 

 of Elbruz, and the after-glow reflected from the snowy ranges 

 of Tibet viewed from 19,000 feet on one of the spurs of 

 Kangchen janga . 



Before setting out, de Saussure obtained from Exchaquet 

 details as to his excursion which satisfied him that the top of the 

 pass (of which Exchaquet had somewhat over-estimated the 

 height *) would afford him the space and solid ground he required 

 for a camp and for setting up his instruments. In order to lose 

 no chances, he set out with his son Theodore early in June for 

 Chamonix, and remained there till the end of the month, perfecting 

 his preparations and waiting for the promise of a spell of fine 

 weather. 



It was on the 2nd July that the caravan set out. On the first 

 night they pitched their tents beside the little Lac du Tacul, 

 at the junction of the ice-streams that form the Mer de Glace. 



1 Exchaquet made it 1800 toisea= 11,511 feet. The accepted height is, 

 according to Vallot, 10,959 feet. 



