CHAP. XII. ON THE SUMMIT OF CAYAMBE, 



233 



CAYAMBE (19,186 feet), FROM THE WEST. 



in a manner that is seldom seen 

 on mountain-tops. From the huge schrunds that surrounded 

 the three bosses of the summit-ridge, on all sides, I think that 

 there are at no great depth beneath the surface several pinnacles 

 like those which form the summits of Sincholagua and Illiniza. 

 By persons who are familiar with glacier-clad eminences it will 

 be apprehended without saying that a slight diminution in the 

 thickness of the superincumbent ice may cause the apex of this 

 mountain to become inaccessible. 



During the 83 minutes we remained on the summit, tem- 

 perature fluctuated between 32°-41° Faht. On arrival, the 

 wind was light, without any very pronounced direction. It 

 strengthened as day advanced, and soon after 11 a.m. blew in 

 squalls from the east, and we retired. The upper part of this 

 mountain was a regular battlefield for the winds. On several 

 occasions in the succeeding fortnight, when encamped southwards, 

 we saw their struggles for victory. If the east Avind conquered, 



the whole mountain became invisible ; but if, as happened some- 



2H 



