. My summer in the Alps, 1913 . n hour we turnedsharply to the left (the Grepon lying to the right) and weresoon thereafter at close quarters with rocks which afforded ussplendid climbing for about an hour. At one point we foundourselves face to face with an exceedingly steep and narrowgully, or chimney, about twenty feet high, which it was necessaryto ascend by the sides, where the holds were few and awkwardlysituated. A part of the distance there was a small crack. Inthe course of this bit of climbing one has to grip with the kneessurfaces at a wide angle and, rising, throw oneself quickly a
. My summer in the Alps, 1913 . n hour we turnedsharply to the left (the Grepon lying to the right) and weresoon thereafter at close quarters with rocks which afforded ussplendid climbing for about an hour. At one point we foundourselves face to face with an exceedingly steep and narrowgully, or chimney, about twenty feet high, which it was necessaryto ascend by the sides, where the holds were few and awkwardlysituated. A part of the distance there was a small crack. Inthe course of this bit of climbing one has to grip with the kneessurfaces at a wide angle and, rising, throw oneself quickly andadroitly to the right and there secure a new hold higher effort involved in surmounting such an obstacle as thischimney is very great and almost certain to leave one blownand ready to pause for a moment. The highest summit, calledthe Grande Pointe, was reached first, and we found the top of itto be a very small spot, with precipices in several the rocks were secure, and we remained several minutes to[18]. 0«f OF THE FIVE SUM enjoy the beautiful view and other interesting features of thescene about us. The rope had been playing an important part in our climb-ing, as it does in every ascent of any magnitude, whether on snowor on rocks, and a word here as to its proper function will notbe out of place. Its use on snow is readily explained. Withthree on the rope, if one of the party break through the surface,the others can prevent him from disappearing very far. Whereasany one, however careful, may break through the snow, thegood climber will rarely, if ever, slip on rocks which he hasonce determined are fit to be climbed. And yet even in thecase of such climbers the presence of the rope is indispensableas a means of steadying them and furnishing them with the moralcourage or support necessary to enable them to attack difficultplaces. The question may be asked whether in the unlikelyevent of a slip the rope can be made to guard against its con-sequences. Th
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booki, booksubjectmountaineering
