VILLAGE OF CHAMONIX.1 Summit of Mont Blanc.
2 Bosses du Dromadaire.
3 Dôme du Goûté.
4 Aiguille du Goûté.
5 Grands Mulets.
6 Glacier des Bossons.
7 Montagne de la Côte.
8 Glacier de Taconnaz.
AN IMPROMPTU ASCENT
OF
MONT BLANC:
BY
W. H. LE MESURIER.
LONDON:
ELLIOT STOCK, PUBLISHER,
62 PATERNOSTER ROW.
BIRKENHEAD:
E. GRIFFITH & SON, HAMILTON STREET.
1882.
BIRKENHEAD:
E. Griffith & Son, Printers, "Caxton" Works,
Hamilton Street
PREFACE
The interest which still follows individual ascents of Mont Blanc,notwithstanding the attraction of other mountain peaks, must be myapology for once again repeating an oft-told tale; but with thisendeavour, to make the narrative a true and unvarnished account of whatwe did and how we did it, and to present the accompanying illustrations(which, for the most part, are taken from photographs) free fromexaggeration.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Evening at Chamonix—Excursion to the Brévent—View of the Mont Blancchain.
CHAPTER II.
Commencement of the ascent—Pierre Pointue—Crossing the Glacier desBossons—An awkward bit—"Cabane" on the Grands Mulets.
CHAPTER III.
View from the Grands Mulets—A foreign invasion—Trying tosleep—Preparation for a night march.
CHAPTER IV.
The start at midnight—Ascending the Montées—Arrival at the PetitPlateau—An attempt at breakfast on the Grand Plateau—The expeditionjeopardised through mountain sickness—Churlish "foreigners"—The ascentresumed—Repose on the Rochers des Bosses—Climbing the MauvaiseArête—The final assault—The goal reached.[Pg vi]
CHAPTER V.
Descending the "back bone"—Approach of clouds—An unfortunateslip—Floundering in the snow—In danger—An awkward descent—In and outof the snow—The "Cabane" at last—Delicious repose—The journeyresumed—Re-crossing the Glacier—A thunderstorm in the Forest desPélerins—Welcome back.
CHAPTER VI.
A few words on our complexions—Certificates procured—Ladies'preparation for a