John Muir's shivering account of "Snow-Storm on Mount Shasta," was published in Volume 55 of Harper's New Monthly Magazine, September 1877. The first half of the article details the geologic history, geology, weather and flora of Mt. Shasta and the region, and fastidious observations of everything in his environment. When you get to the illustration at the left, not quite half-way down the article, the story of the ascent begins! His mountaineering companion was Jerome Fay, and it's an absolute wonder they both survived after literally laying on lava beds near gaseous fumaroles while covered with snow... for 17 hours! I have this indelible impression of John Muir hiking hundreds of miles in street shoes and a thin wool dress jacket surviving solely on tea and bread. If you read more about his adventures, especially The Wild Muir, it's a miracle that he lived as long as he did. A truly fascinating, influential and larger-than-life character.
DEFINITION of this 3-syllable noun:
- a hole in or near a volcano, from which vapor rises.
RSS Feed