234 TRAVELS A3I0NGST THE GREAT ANDES, chap. xii. 



times, a north-west wind prevailed, then the western side, and 

 even the rest, was seen.^ 



It being still early in the day, we diverged to the north 

 to get some samples of the highest rocks ; ^ and then followed 

 our track literally, as the mists were dense, — proceeding very 

 cautiously, ^ sounding ^^ at almost every step in consequence of the 

 increased softness of the snow, and grovelling on hands and knees 

 across the rotten bridges. We returned to camp at 3.40 p.m. 



So far as I am aware, no attempt has hitherto been made 

 to bring together rates of speed which have been attained upon 

 mountains. Probably, they are not often well ascertained ; for 

 persons engaged in mountain-travel, or in mountaineering, 

 generally have their attention too much absorbed by inevitable 

 details, or by the novelty of their surroundings, to observe and 

 note with precision the times occupied, and the duration of halts. 

 It was necessary to observe the rates we attained in order to 

 form an opinion as to the effects of low pressures on the bodily 

 powers; and, whenever it was practicable, our times were noted.* 



Upon Cayambe we attained our fastest ascending rate. We 

 left camp (14,762 feet) at 4,40 a.m., and arrived on the summit 

 (19,186) at 10.12 a.m.; the only positive halt being one of 

 ten or twelve minutes at the top of the Pointe Jarrin, to put 

 on rope and gaiters. In 320 minutes of actual going we rose 



1 The east Avind was damp, and comparatively warm. There was a notable 

 difference in the height of the snow-line on different sides of the mountain. On 

 the west, there was no permanent snow so low as 16,000 feet above the level of 

 the sea. 



^ The rocl<: (lava) of this cliff closely resembled that which had been taken 

 lower down, and Prof. Bonney informs me that microscopic examination shews 

 that the differences are only varietal. "Hornblende, iron-mica, and augite are 

 present, the last being the less conspicuous constituent." 



3 Those who are acquainted with the technicalities of mountaineering are 

 referred to Scrambles amongst the Alps, p. 375, where a figure is shewn in the act 

 of ' sounding.' 



* Several of our rates, which were well ascertained, are brought together in a 

 tabular form in Chapter XIX. 



