One hundred years ago
DR. HANS Meyer, the German traveller who has successfully ascended the high snow-peak of Kibo, which towers above Kilima-Njaro, gave a very interesting account of his ascent to the Geographical Society on Monday even- ing. He had reached as high as 9,200 ft in 1887, but then failed to climb the mountain. At this height he and his German friend, Herr Purtscheller, with their eight natives, pitched their large tent on the present occasion, and built huts and collected firewood for the men of the expedition. Accompanied by four men, they travelled for two more days up the steep grassy slopes to the plateau between the two peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi, and there, at a height of 14,270 ft, pitched their small tent. They had now only four of the eight natives with them, the other four having been left behind; and of these four, three now returned to the larger camp with orders to bring constant supplies of food day by day to the smaller camp; and only one Negro, a Pangani, by name Mwini Amani, remained to help them in the ascent of the ice. In this severe Alpine climate they stayed sixteen days. They had still an ascent of 5,000 ft, and one of the great difficulty, to surmount. On October 3rd last they climbed a long rib of lava, and found themselves at a height of 17,220 ft as the rays of the rising sun began to light up the neigh- bouring peak of Mawenzi, and by 2.30 had reached a height of 18,270 ft, where the task of cutting steps on a steep ice-wall began. On that occasion they did not reach the highest peak, which was reserved for October 6th, after passing the night below the ice at a height of 15,160 ft.
The Spectator, 19 April 1890
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