6 



Sierra Club Bulletin. 



The descent was begun about noon, and proved harder 

 work than I at least had anticipated. No sUding could 

 be attempted on account of crevasses in some places and 

 the steepness of the snow-slope in others. Only a few 

 weeks ago one of the guides had slipped on the snow not 

 far from Camp Muir. Having dropped his ice-ax, he 

 was unable to stop himself. He slid down the snowy 

 slope until he came to a wide crevasse which he could 

 not avoid, and consequently tried to jump. Unfortunate- 

 ly he struck the other side of the crevasse too low, and 

 went down, breaking his legs as he fell. The character 

 of the climbing at times was such that a similar or worse 

 misadventure had to be reckoned among the possibilities ; 

 for a steep incline would be sure to end with a crevasse, 

 a rock talus, or a precipice. Consequently we . redoubled 

 our precautions, planting our alpenstocks with care, and 

 stepping with precision. Once more on the icy slope 

 near Gibraltar we used the rope, and descended very 

 slowly and cautiously. Arrived under the brow of the 

 great cliff, we found it necessary to make all possible 

 haste; for, seeing an immense boulder break off above 

 and go thundering across our path, we realized the danger 

 of our position. By keeping close to the wall it was 

 possible to lessen somewhat the chances of being hit. 

 Fortunately all passed the end of the ledge in safety. At 

 Camp Muir a brief halt and a cup of tea restored our 

 flagging energies. The worst was over. Not long there- 

 after we marched into camp with the grateful feeling of 

 accomplished purpose and thrilling memories of a hardy 

 pastime. 



