Photo by G. R. Ballance 



cattive: on brevj:nt 



These hardy Swiss cattle ascend the mountains each year in the early summer to graze on 

 the high mountain pastures, which are technically known as Alps 



AN unwe:lcome: guest 



With this party was a fourth man, a 

 youth of 24, named Jacques Balmat, who 

 seems to have attached himself to the 

 others against their wishes. Just before 

 the start for the summit, Balmat had 

 spent two days alone on the Dome du 

 Gouter looking for routes, and was re- 

 turning when he met the other three on 

 their way up. 



He was an unwelcome member of the 

 little party, for he wished to win the 

 reward and so did they. However, he 

 would not be shaken off. When the 

 others gave up the attempt, he stayed be- 

 hind to look about further, the others 

 perhaps having deserted him purposely. 



''I found myself," said he, ''alone, and 

 was divided between a wish to rejoin 

 them and an ambition to attempt the as- 

 cent alone. I was piqued at being left 

 behind, and something told me that this 

 time I should succeed." He gave up the 



idea of proceeding by the ridge of the 

 ''Bosses," and so descended a little to 

 what is known as the ''Grand Plateau," 

 crossed it and ascended again on the 

 other side over an icy path along the 

 crest of the rocks called the "Rochers 

 Rouges," on the armlike ridge of the 

 mountain opposite. This route, now 

 known as the "Ancien Passage," has 

 long since been abandoned, owing to its 

 danger. 



baIvMat's heroic ^Eat 



Balmat had to dig steps in the ice with 

 the end of his stock, and finally, after in- 

 credible toil, he saw his way clear to the 

 very top, for the "Rochers Rouges" are 

 less than 1,000 feet from the summit. 

 But night was approaching and clouds 

 had begun to form around the summit,, 

 and besides he thought no one would be- 

 lieve his story if he did reach the summit,, 

 so he decided to retrace his steps. 



871 



