Page:Canadian Alpine Journal I, 1.djvu/180

Rh covered glacier and a delightful descent, with opportunity for "glissading." This part of the journey was made in quick time, as the weather had changed.

Sometimes on the mountains, one has the experience of standing in sunshine and looking down on a thunderstorm below. We were in the midst of the thunderstorm. Nowhere is the lightning so vivid or the reverberation of the thunder so stunning as among the hills. It is a fine experience to go through such a thunderstorm, but one not far from danger. The polished steel handles of the ice-axes attract the lightning. In this way several men in Switzerland have been killed. Our guides did not linger on the heights. They took no chances. They pushed down into the valley with all speed, pausing only to test the snow-bridges spanning the crevasses on the glacier. We reached the valley free from all harm. The one drawback was, that the hail and rain deluged us from head to foot. Yet this was a trifle, and we could look forward to a roaring fire, dry tents, dry clothes, and a good supper on our return. And that is a very different thing from returning to cold grub, wet blankets, no tents, and no fire. Finally, we came to the Upper Yoho trail, and we trudged along, a weird-lokinglooking [sic], bedraggled company, rather tired, very hungry, and altogether happy. The arrival in camp at eight o'clock was all that we looked for, and an hour and a half later we were sleeping the sleep of the just. No more exhilarating or healthful day's sport could be imagined. We cannot speak too highly of the skill and care shown by our two young guides. Without them the expedition would have been impossible. Owing to them it was an unqualified success.