202

THE PEESANELLA.

looked up. The actual top was a snow-crest lying as acap on tlie brow of the cliff which faces Yal di Sole.The ascent from the hut had taken us eight hours—along time for a mountain of only 11,688 feet.

As soon as the first excitement of victory was overwe began to look with interest at the new mountainregion spread at our feet. The central mass of theAdamello was for the first time before me in such near-ness and completeness as to allow of a ready insightinto, and understanding of, its character. It is a hugeblock, large enough to supply materials for half-a-dozenfine mountains. But it is in fact only one. For alength and breadth of many miles the ground neverfalls below 9,500 feet. The vast central snow-field feedsglaciers pouring to every point of the compass. Thehighest peaks, such as the Care Alto and Adamello , aremerely slight elevations of the rim of this upliftedplain. Seen from within they are mere hummocks;from without they are very noble mountains falling ingreat precipices towards the wild glacier-closed glenswhich run up to their feet.

Imagine an enormous white cloth unevenly laidupon a table, and its shining skirts hanging over hereand there between the dark massive supports. Thereader, if he will excuse so humble a comparison, maythereby form a better idea of the general aspect of thesnow-plains, the rocky buttresses, and overhangingglaciers of the Adamello as they now met our view.

It was clear that the descent of the Nardis Glacier,leading in a direct line to Pinzolo, was perfectly easy,and we half regretted having left our goods on the pass.

Returning a few paces to the highest rocks wespent an hour of pleasant idleness, only broken by