Mt.Lyell and Mt. Ritter Ascents. 183 



the snow. All kinds of snow-glasses, hoods, and veils 

 were on exhibition ready for immediate use, while 

 bandanas of variegated colors served to enhance the 

 picturesque effect. Altogether we presented more the 

 appearance of an organized band of gypsy robbers than 

 a respectable party of dignified citizens intent on the 

 serious purpose of scaling a cold and forbidding moun- 

 tain. 



To the most of us the Lyell Glacier was a disappoint- 

 ment. We did not approach it from the right direction to 

 get the best view of its terminal, and we found ourselves 

 traversing its uneven surface before we realized we were 

 near the glacier; and consequently the impression we 

 gained was that of a very large field of snow on a sloping 

 mountain-side with numerous small streams of water 

 flowing from its base. Those of us who started for Ritter 

 the next day gained from the top of the Donohue Pass 

 a much more comprehensive view and a far more accu- 

 rate impression of its true glacial features. But at best 

 the Lyell is a dying glacier, and is not in the same class 

 with its interesting, picturesque, and progressive neighbor 

 on Mt. Ritter. 



The jagged surface of the great snow-field engendered 

 in us all a profound respect. Alternate thawing and 

 freezing, combined with the action of the wind, had made 

 uneven and irregular ridges of snow with knife-edged 

 ice-blades for upper surfaces, and with intervening hol- 

 lows of from one to four feet in breadth and two to four 

 feet in depth. 



Over such a surface our progress for hours was slow 

 and tedious. Three or four stalwart men in the lead took 

 turns in kicking footholds into these slippery edges, and 



