ON THE MOUNTAIN. 223 



great distance off: we determined to try our chance 

 of approaching them, and looked for a place where we 

 might get down the rocky steep. Good practice it 

 was too, coming down that Handsheimer Eipel Spitz ! 

 Joseph, on account of the weakness of his right arm, 

 was carefully searching for a spot where, under such 

 circumstances, he could manage best. Berger and 

 myself tried elsewhere, and began to move carefully 

 over the ridge. At first sight this seemed hardly pos- 

 sible, so abrupt was the descent. Snow too was lying 

 here and there, making the little projections on which 

 it rested a very slippery, unsure footing, and there 

 was nothing to hold by, no support save the iron-shod 

 pole which we carried with us. 



To coine down the rocks is always more difficult 

 than to climb up them. As you invariably descend 

 with your back to the steep, and consequently looking 

 forwards and below you, the terrible depth is all the 

 time before your eyes : in mounting this is not the 

 case ; and though, if you are so unwise as to think 

 about it, you know there is a precipice at your back, 

 it is however unseen. Carefully and steadily then 

 down you go, your feet forwards, your body sloping 

 back, and your trusty pole grasped with both hands, 

 and firmly planted behind you*. Every coming step 

 must be decided on beforehand. "There," you say, 



* In going up hill you always have it before you. If the ascent 

 is so steep as to oblige you to take a zigzag course, you plant it be- 

 side you about on a level with your hips, the upper part pointing 

 outwards ; while your body, resting with all its weight upon it, in- 

 clines inwards toward the mountain. 



