314 TRAVELS AMONGST THE GREAT ANDES, chap. xvii. 



June 28. In Camp. Kept indoors. Had not got the bearing 

 of the summit, and would not start. Clouds nearly down to our 

 level all day, and from 12 to 8 p.m. rain, sleet or hail fell unceas- 

 ingly. After that saw stars for a short time and got bearings. 

 Prepared for an early start to-morrow. Cut bundles of branches 

 and twigs to mark line of ascent. Rain and snow recommenced 

 at 9 p.m., and continued to fall nearly all night. 



June 29. Ascent of the middle peak of Carihuairazo. Left 

 camp at 5.50 a.m. by lantern-light, with the Carrels, David, and 

 Campana, — the two latter being taken to test their snow-going 

 abilities by a little preliminary exercise. Fitted them out in some 

 of our old boots and socks, with gaiters extemporized out of coarse 

 waterproof. Was also accompanied by a four-footed volunteer. 



At the village of Penipe there were many dogs, and one of 

 them followed our caravan, and could not be driven away. Pos- 

 sibly somebody had given it a bone, or shewn it a little kindness ; 

 and as the mongrel was grateful it became a pet, and then of 

 course had to be named, and finding it answered to Pedro it was 

 known thenceforward as Pedro de Penipe. AVhen we left camp 

 our dog insisted upon accompanying us, and it went to the top of 

 the mountain. 



From the reconnaissance on the 15th of January (see note to 

 page 87) it was known that Carihuairazo had two principal peaks 

 (lying not far to the north of the camp), and another minor one 

 away to the west. The easternmost was the highest of the three, 

 and we had marked a prominent ridge leading up to it, and 

 observed that this ridge was on the west of our vallon. The 

 ascent could not have been made without this previous knowledge. 

 The summit was not seen until we were actually upon it, and 

 during the day it was seldom possible to see more than one 

 hundred and fifty feet in any direction. The leader was often 

 invisible to the last man on the rope. Snow-spectacles frequently 

 could not be used. 



Commenced by steering N.W. up the hillside, and when the 



