EXPEDITION TO THE ALTAI 173 



and, being covered with snow, afforded very insecure 

 footing. 



The second summit was 10,000 feet in height, 

 the third 10,050 feet, the fourth 10,020 feet, the 

 fifth and sixth 10,000 feet each. I named the third, 

 fourth, and fifth peaks Faith, Hope, and Charity, in 

 the order as I carpe to them. 



I was informed by the priest, who had lived in 

 Katunda about thirty years, that no one had ever 

 climbed those pinnacles, although hunters had fre- 

 quently ascended the Saptam' mountain in quest of 

 game. 



When I returned to the Saptam" summit the moon 

 was out, and it was with difficulty I found the hunter 

 with my horses, my friend having gone back to 

 Katunda four hours earlier. The descent was very 

 difficult and even dangerous on horseback, because 

 with sunset the slopes had commenced to freeze, 

 and the tnountain is steep enough to ride down under 

 the most favourable circumstances. We slipped and 

 tumbled about merrily before we reached the valley. 

 The moon taade the snow-clad mountains look quite 

 near, and lit up the valleys like daylight. 



We arrived at the post-house about midnight. The 

 journey was a splendid one, and I saw enough snow- 

 capped virgin peaks from the Saptam summit to 

 keep the members of the Alpine club climbing for 

 the next few years. If they care to take the journey, 

 they will find the mountains quite formidable enough 

 for expert clinibers. There will be the uncertainty 

 of ever gaining the summit, and the possibility of 

 mteeting bears and other wild animals on the way. 

 With these attractions the climber will require to 

 add another to the many qualifications necessary for 

 a successful mountaineer and be able to shoot well, 

 both for protection and food. 



