Alexandria Gazette & Advertiser

THE ASCENT OF THE PIC DU MIDI OF PAU.

From Depping's Beauties of France.

This mountain is so high, and so difficult to climb, that few persons have ventured to reach the top of the Peak. The historian De Thou makes mention of a seigneur of Candale; who, in 1582, commenced this undertaking; but notwithstanding the ladders, grappling hooks, ropes, and the furred cloak, with which was provided, he did not attain the summit. A shepherd of the valley of Aspe, without all these accommodations, animated and supported merely by his courage set foot on the top; and following his example, M. Delfau has effected the same expedition. From the village of Eaux-Bonnes, the route lies by Gabas, of which the environs furnish the first views of the Pyrenees. The base of the mountain is easily scaled, but farther up the road becomes so steep, that nothing but an extraordinary degree of courage can prevent persons from being petrified with dismay in this rapid ascent; and the more, because the mountain, almost insulated, forms only a single block which rises to the height of 1550 toises. The summit is divided into two sharp spires, from which circumstance it has been called the Peak of the Twin Sisters. The mountain is cut perpendicularly on three sides, which are inaccessible, the fourth alone being practicable but still the adventurer must have recourse to his knees, feet and hands, in order to arrive at the top. M. Delfau's narrative is but little calculated to encourage future travellers to imitate his example.

"I remained fixed," says he, "to the same spot; I was exhausted and quite overcome with cold and fatigue: I walked barefoot for two hours my stockings and spatterdashes were in tatters; my body was bruised all over, I found myself almost destitute of clothes in a frozen atmosphere, a chill pervaded my system and my strength was giving way. What would I not, at this instant, have given that I never had visited the Pyrenees! but it was too late. All on a sudden we heard the noise of a troop of Chamois above our heads. Alarmed at our approach, these animals ran about this way and that, not knowing how to shun us; one of them, which seemed to be the leader of the band, advanced to reconnoitre, and afterwards appeared to consult with his companions. In any other situation we should have contemplated this spectacle with pleasure, but, for the moment, I was exclusively occupied with the thoughts of my safety, and apprehensive that these animals might, by rushing headlong, strike against us in the narrow pass in which we were involved. I clung fast to the rock that I might not be tumbled down. At length the signal was given; they all sprang off with a loud noise; and I saw them dart like lightning into narrow paths and precipices, the very sight of which made me shudder. Such was their fleetness, that our eyes could scarcely follow them."