NO. 4 SITE FOR SOLAR-RADIATION STATION— MOORE 1 3 



gradual ascent, although it was considerably farther. We realized, in 

 conversing with Mr. Donnett, that we had a very hard climb ahead of 

 us, especially for the native boys who would carry our supplies and 

 equipment. The lack of water in this extremely dry region,. coupled 

 with the fact that there was a climb of about 6,600 feet, with prac- 

 tically no trail, made the prospect rather forbidding. The base of the 

 mountain, accessible by automobile, is less than 2,000 feet above sea- 

 level, as compared with nearly 6,000 feet at Ganzberg, and the sum- 

 mit is over 8,500 feet, or 900 feet higher than Ganzberg. Brandberg 

 lies at latitude 21° 7' S. and longitude 14° 33' E. 



But having come thus far, we decided to make the attempt, to learn 

 first-hand of the actual conditions. Mr. Donnett could not arrange 

 to accompany us up the mountain, although he did guide us to the 

 Zizab Canyon, a considerable part of the route having no road. We 

 arranged to have as a guide an old Klip Kafir who had accompanied 

 Mr. Donnett on two trips to Brandberg. The Zizab water-hole is 

 visited by much game, including lions, so we slept in our car while 

 the boys had a camp-fire all night to keep the wild animals at a safe 

 distance. Early the next morning, leaving the car in the canyon, we 

 got under way afoot. The farther we proceeded the rougher the 

 canyon became. Near the upper end of the water-hole we found huge 

 boulders as large as good-sized houses, and under some of them our 

 guide showed us some of the ancient Bushman paintings on the rocks. 

 These paintings represented men and various animals, and the pig- 

 ments were remarkable in maintaining their colors. 



After leaving the water-hole we soon came upon an old Kafir and 

 a youngster of about 6 years. Their garb, or lack of garb, was quite 

 in keeping with the rugged surroundings. The old man said that he 

 lived in the Brandberg Mountains and that we could expect no more 

 water before the next day about noon. I had the boys return to the 

 water-hole and fill all the water cans. After lunch we resumed the 

 climb and we found the whole bottom of the canyon filled with enor- 

 mous boulders, so that it became very difficult for the boys to make 

 progress with their packs. Discontent could plainly be discerned in 

 their demeanor, so about mid-afternoon, while they were resting, I 

 climbed to a high point from which I could see up the canyon, and 

 found that for several miles ahead there could not be much hope of 

 improvement. The aneroid showed a rise of only about 1,000 feet for 

 the day. With over 5,000 feet yet to climb and the morale of the 

 boys none too good, no choice seemed to be left but to abandon the 

 attempt. The boys did not think that they could return to the car 



