192 Mountain Meteorological Stations and an 



and that possibly I had little or no conception of the difficulties to be 

 encountered at this time of the year. Moreover, he invited my 

 attention to the fact that the two men constantly on duty at the Peak 

 had been cut off from the rest of the world, for about two months, it 

 being utterly impossible to reach them, owing to fierce winds and 

 the great amount of snow. This condition of things created some 

 excitement throughout the country, and it was generally reported in 

 the papers that the men at the summit station would undoubtedly 

 perish from cold and hunger, when, as a matter of fact, they had 

 plenty of provisions and fuel, and were much surprised at hearing of 

 the unusual anxiety of the general public. 



Sergt. Hall had sufficient data to convince one that the trip was not 

 likely to be a delightful little tour for observation and recreation. I 

 silently admitted these facts, but quietly persisted in making prepara- 

 tions for the ascent. When my mission became known at the hotel, 

 some "old timers" volunteered the information that I must be a 

 " tenderfoot," and that it would be well to inject into my brain some- 

 thing that would tend to counteract my apparently serene self- 

 possession and overweening confidence. Little did they know that I 

 was really convinced of the magnitude of the task, but felt that the 

 proper performance of duty was paramount to all other considerations. 

 In order to save time I compromised withthe Sergeant and the 

 "veterans," and promised that if I could not succeed in passing 

 " Windy Point " (a very dangerous locality for " snow-slides ") I would 

 return. This was not a very definite agreement, but it was all that 

 I would make, for I had quietly determined upon the course necessary 

 for me to pursue. Further opposition in the form of kind advice and 

 earnest solicitation for my safety, coupled with some concern as to a 

 full possession of my senses, having been overcome, I proceeded to 

 make immediate and rapid preparation for the proposed trip. 



The first step was to secure means of conveyance as far as such assist- 

 ance could be employed. It was conceded that the most difficult 

 work must be performed on foot. Under such circumstances all 

 articles required to be gauged by the transporting capacity of the 

 least power available, which, after some calculation, we found to be 

 a badly demoralized and generally worn out human being. In other 

 words, what could each of us (the Sergeant and myself) carry when 

 under the influence of the greatest exhaustion, from struggling through 

 the snow and over rugged rocks? The following articles were finally 

 decided upon as indispensable for each man. An Alpine pike, a hatchet, 

 a pair of snowshoes, a revolver, a bowie knife and one day's provisions. 



