ASCENT OF POPOCATEPETL. 209 
on, I was forced to abandon the enterprise entirely. In the course, how- 
ever, of my preparations for an ascent, I had enjoyed frequent conversa- 
tions with Mr. Egerton, and Mr. Von Gerolt, the Prussian Charge d' Affaires, 
on the subject; and by these gentlemen (who have both ascended the 
volcano,) T was put in possession of the preceding drawing and the sub- 
stance of the following account, which has hitherto never been given in 
our language. As I think it extremely interesting, when compared with 
the various published accounts of the ascent of Mont Blanc and other 
mountains in the Old and New World, I shall rnake no apology for pre- 
senting it to you in this volume. The volcano lies about 60 miles from 
the city of Mexico, and, after Chimborazo, is the highest peak on this 
continent. 
At the commencement of the rainy season of 1833, Mr. Von Gerolt and 
the Baron Gros, then Charge of the French Legation in Mexico, departed 
from the Capital on horseback, escorted by a troop of soldiers to. protect 
them from robbers, and followed by mules and servants bearing the neces- 
sary philosophical instruments and sufficient provisions for the journey. 
They sallied forth on the Vera Cruz road, between the lakes of Tez- 
coco and Chalco, for eight leagues, to Ayotla^^i<|tev'ond which they struck 
off in a southwardly direction, and, at the c^^fcffce of five leagues more, 
commenced the ascent of the Cordillera, on the summit of which a table- 
land is spread out about 800 feet above the level of the city. On this 
plain they passed the villages of Ameca and Ozumba at the foot of the 
volcano and its neighboring mountain, and here they found the first signs 
of those immense barrancas or deep ravines, worn into the steeps by the 
melting of snow for centuries. 
The southern slope of Popocatepetl appeared to offer our travellers the 
easiest ascent, and, accordingly, having obtained three Indian guides from 
the Alcalde, and an escort of two soldiers, for the wilds of the forest, they 
set forth on their perilous journey early on the morning of the 2'2nd 
of May. Their way led through a tangled wilderness of plants and trees. 
Afler passing a number of barrancas, the sides of which were covered 
with beautiful pines standing out in relief against the bright snows above 
them ; and being compelled to cut a way through the matted forest with 
their swords and Indian axes, they reached, about noon, the rancho of 
Zacapalco. The owner was absent from home, but they found the exten- 
sive pasturages round his house filled with cattle, and protected by a 
guard from the wolves and lions with which the woods are infested. As 
there was no one in the dwelling to bid them welcome, they took the lib- 
erty to help themselves to the grazier's utensils, and dined most comfort- 
ably at the upland farm. The air was chilly and respiration had already 
become difficult. 
After their meal they bade farewell to part of their company, and with 
the Indians and two servants, continued their upward course on horseback 
notwithstanding the increasing heaviness of the sand. In two hours they 
