CHAPTER XXVIII. 
MY SECOND ATTEMPT TO ASCEND MUS-TAGH-ATA 
T HP2 whole time we had been at this considerable 
elevation, an elevation not exceeded by many of the 
Alpine peaks, 1 had kept an eye on the Mus-tagh-ata, 
watching for a suitable opportunity to make an ascent ; 
but the weather had invariably rendered it impossible. 
At one time it snowed and hailed ; at another there was 
an icy north wind, which took away all desire to ascend to 
still higher regions, where the wind whirled up the fine 
snow in thick clouds like dust. At yet another time the 
clear sky and bright sunshine would tempt us to make a 
start ; but suddenly bad weather would set in and upset all 
our plans for the day. Two or three times we actually 
had the yaks ready, and the loads distributed among their 
bearers, and were about to start, when a storm delayed 
us ; and in order not to waste the day entirely we gave 
up the Mus-tagh-ata, and went some shorter excursion to 
the o'laciers. 
o 
By this it was the 5 th of August, and, as we had 
already discovered, to our cost, that winter was an early 
guest in those altitudes, and that we had not much time 
to spare, we determined to be ready for a campaign the 
following day. The 5 th was given up to rest. Solemn 
silence reigned in the yurt, and I was the prey of a pre- 
sentiment, that we should soon be hovering between 
heaven and earth, Our yaks, which had been worked 
very hard of late, were discharged, and returned home with 
their owners; whilst Mollah Islam procured fresh ones, 
in excellent condition, in their stead. Saddles, alpen- 
stocks, rope, provisions, and instruments wnre collected 
I. -22 
337 
