SEASONS FOR CROSSING THE CORDILLERA. 275 



termed closed ; and that of its first opening in 

 summer, when the snow melts in the mountains, 

 swelling the rivers, to that degree, that they 

 rush down with amazing velocity, which renders 

 them extremely dangerous to cross. 



It may therefore be necessary for my readers 

 to be informed, which are, and which are not, the 

 best months in the year for crossing the Cordil- 

 lera of the Andes. For this purpose, I gained 

 the best information both at Santiago and Men- 

 doza ; and, from my own observation, and what 

 I gleaned from the arrieros and peons of the 

 mountains, the following statement will be found 

 pretty correct, and may be depended upon with 

 safety. 



The couriers, arrieros, and natives of the 

 country, divide the seasons of the Cordillera into 

 two only — summer and winter ; calling it closed 

 in winter, and open in summer ; that is, closed 

 from June till December, inclusive; and open 

 from January till May, inclusive. But, as the 

 beginning and ending of these seasons (which is 



T 2 



