CHAP. XIV. IN A TOURMENTE. 261 



Ootocachi, and when this was struck turned sharply to the right, 

 towards the summit. Cracks and fissures in the crest of this ridge 

 again suggested that settlements were occurring. Our guide led 

 well, and got us soon after mid-day up to the foot of the final peak, 

 and more than 14,000 feet above the level of the sea. The ground 

 then became too rugged for the mules, and we halted to consider. 



From this direction, Cotocachi appears pyramidal rather than 

 conical ; and has a face on the east (fronting the basin of Imba- 

 bura) that is precipitous ; and another less abrupt one on the 

 west, largely covered with snow. This was to be our way ; and 

 catching sight of a small bit of flat ground a little higher, in the 

 right direction, all hands set to work carrying baggage to it. The 

 second trip upwards was being made when a transformation scene 

 occurred. A clear sky became overclouded, the mountain was lost 

 in mist ; and, after the usual succession of rain, hail and sleet, a 

 furious fall of snow took place, which rendered the air so thick 

 that, although only a few yards apart, we could not see each 

 other. The whole of the natives dropped their loads and fled, 

 while Verity and the Carrels stuck to their work, and laboured to 

 place the tent amid driving showers of snow, circling in a veri- 

 table tourmente. The gusts filled the tent and defied their efforts 

 to install it. The wind tossed us about like playthings — neither 

 the long arms of Louis nor the strong ones of Verity and Jean- 

 Antoine availed anything. The whirling snow mocked our efforts, 

 and for the only occasion on this journey we found it impossible 

 to erect our habitation properly. 



The tents taken to Ecuador, in general style, resembled that 

 which is described in ScramUes amongst the Alps. The four poles, 

 however, were divided.^ Their upper halves were fixtures, and 

 when the lower ones were withdrawn the tents could be folded, 



1 At the points where the poles crossed each other a little of the canvas was 

 cut away, leaving a hole at each corner of the roof for ventilation (see illustration 

 upon page 60). During snowy and rainy weather, it was frequently necessary to 

 close these apertures, and this was done by covering them with the waterproof 

 casings to our hats (see illustration upon page 144). 



