474 OLD ALPINE JOTTINGS. 



should return if the weather, which was then unfit for 

 the Matterhorn, improved. 



I waited at the Hiffel for twelve days, making small 

 excursions here and there. But though the weather 

 was not so abominable as it bad been last year, the 

 frequent snow-discharges on the Matterhorn kept it un- 

 assailable. In company with Mr. Craufurd Grove, who 

 had engaged Carrel as his guide, Michel being mine, 

 I made the pass of the Trift from Zermatt to Zinal. 

 Carrel led and, on the rocks, acquitted himself admir- 

 ably. He is a first-rate rockman. I could understand 

 and share the enthusiasm experienced by Mr. Hinchliff 

 in crossing this truly noble pass. It is certainly one 

 of the finest in the whole Alps. For that one day 

 moreover the weather was magnificent. Next day we 

 crossed to Evolena, going far astray, and thus convert- 

 ing a light day into a heavy one. From Evolena we 

 purposed crossing the Col d'Erin back to Zermatt, but 

 the weather would not let us. This excursion had 

 been made with the view of allowing the Matterhorn 

 a little time to arrange its temper; but the temper 

 continued sulky, and at length wearied me out. We 

 went round by the valley of the Rhone to Zermatt, 

 and finding matters there worse than ever, both Mr. 

 Grove and myself returned to Visp, intending to quit 

 Switzerland together. Here he changed his mind and 

 returned to Zermatt; on the same day the weather 

 changed also, and continued fine for a fortnight. He 

 succeeded in getting with Carrel to the top of the 

 Matterhorn, being therefore the first Englishman that 

 gained the summit from the southern side. A ramble 

 in the Highlands, including a visit to the Parallel 

 Roads of Glenroy, concluded my vacation in 1867. 



