The gradient increased rapidly until lost to 

 sight in the mist, a couple of thousand feet 

 below. We appeared to be standing on the 

 ruin of a huge volcano of unprecedented pro" 

 portions. The wall on which we stood extended 

 far to the north and south. Even as we 

 watched the cloud^bank rolled yet further back, 

 and a more extended view unfolded to our rapt 

 gaze. The steep gradient, already noted, ended 

 below in a yet steeper slope, almost walHike, 

 whilst dimly, in the depths below, snow" 

 less undulating plains were visible. What a 

 mighty wall guarded the secrets of the abyss ! 

 What grandeur beyond anything to be ex^ 

 pected ! Our very souls were elevated and 

 burned with a desire to penetrate the depths 

 before us : yet how impossible this seemed I 

 How could mortal man scale such a wall as 

 barred our progress ? ^ Whilst our thoughts ran 

 thus, a better view being obtained to the south, 

 we descried a steeply dipping slope leading 

 from the plateau down to the depths below. 

 This was developed in the form of a semi^cone 

 against the face of the wall, and appeared to be 

 of volcanic origin. This volcanic slope was 

 certainly quite scaleable, and we unanimously 

 decided to attempt a descent by it. Many 

 hours afterwards camp was pitched on the 

 32 



