CHAP. VIII. AT THE SU3IMIT OF SINCHOLAGUA. 163 



the murky aii% each followed by a single bang, which is all one 

 hears when close to the point of discharge.^ Around the peak 

 they blazed away without intermission, several often occurring in 

 a single instant. The whole air seemed to be saturated with 

 electricity, and the thunder kept up an almost continuous roar. 



THE SUMMIT OF SINCHOLAGlf A. 



With ice-axes hissing ominously, and confined to the crest of 

 the ridge by the abruptness of its sides, we gradually approached 

 the summit. The last few yards were the steepest of all. The 

 snow was reduced to a mere thread (too small to be shewn in 

 the annexed engraving^), leaning against the rock, and it was 

 marvellous that it stood firmly at such an angle. Steps at an 

 ordinary distance apart could not be made. The leading man 

 stretched forward to scrape away a small platform, flogged it 



^ See Scrambles amongst the Alps, pp. 172-4. 



^ Which gives an accurate sectional representation of the final peak from north 

 to south. Our track is shewn by the dotted line, and the summit lies underneath 

 the cross. From east to west the top of this mountain is much smaller than in 

 the other direction. 



