1886. | Ascent of the Volcano of Popocatepetl. III 
it more salubrious and cooler than Mexico, being nearly 600 feet 
higher than that city, and it is somewhat frequented by invalids 
from the city in hot weather. Before reaching the town, how- 
ever, we pass through foothills covered with a growth of pines 
and oaks, with an intermixture of maguey or century plants 
under cultivation. The scenery now becomes very grand as we 
skirt along the ranges—from four to six—which are parallel with 
IĪztacihuatl. At 10 A. M. both volcanic peaks were enveloped in 
cumulus clouds, but they rolled away from the mountain of the 
“white woman,” still, however, obscuring the snow-clad dome of 
Popocatepetl. The massive base of Iztacihuatl below the clouds 
was seen to be studded with conical peaks, any one of which 
would be a prize in Maine or New Hampshire. As the train 
stops at Amecameca we pass the hill of Sacramonte, covered 
with a dense growth of noble cedars and pines surrounding the 
chapel on the summit, and enter the railroad hotel at eleven 
o'clock for dinner, first, however, regaling ourselves with the full 
and superb view of Popocatepetl and its sister volcano, whose 
serene heights now clear and well-nigh cloudless, looked down 
upon the town spread out over the valley at their feet. 
After dinner we met our guide Rafael with his men, horses and 
pack mules at the grocery store of Sefior Francisco Norriega, 
where we laid in additional provisions, and punctually at one 
o'clock started for our camp at the base of the peak. Our party 
consisted in all of seven horsemen, with two pack mules and 
three mozos or guias on foot. A guia is an assistant guide, usu- 
ally an Indian servant or mozo. For the benefit of any one in- 
tending to make the ascent, I. give in a foot-note’ the particulars 
of our outfit of guides, servants, etc., with the prices, being a 
copy of the items in Rafael’s bill. 
1 4 horses at $2.00 a day 
eneeeeneeee 
URS at BIOO ack vie eb eneeeneenes a 12 00 
PMNS RE BECO cia voce pan seaccnens chet eee bes eens 6 00 
1 barley for the horses and mules.........-++++- pasbucueuse 17s 
6 pieces of leather for making sandals. .....- 7st ene ee 
MOO WNW re Decl os Livers t ceakee eo A ae tweed. k5 
S leather thongs... csceevcs «secur t eTo nituan ni nai a aaa 50 
8 yards of cloth for wrapping the feet.....-+++++++++ RO ey 
eee ee... evi ee Sie 
A mozo to look after the horses at $3.00 a day.....-.- visst 6 00 
Rafael Mendizabal Josan 10 
se eee eee eee 
