the actual summit, which too evidently was upon the cornice overhanging the northerly face of the mountain. The extent of the overhang and the probable security of the huge cornice were carefully noted, and as soon as the final climb up the rounded side of the snow-field lying above us was made, we were happily congratulating one another upon having accomplished the first ascent of Mt. Ball. Before venturing upon the cornice, I left my place in the middle of the rope and had an end made fast to me to enable the guides to anchor as far back as possible, while upon hands and knees to guard against breaking through the crust, I made my way to the actual crest of the mountain, 10,825 feet. It was then 12:35 o'clock, or nine hours and thirty-five minutes since we left camp. The weather was clear and we were favored with good views of the peaks in the surrounding ranges.
The conformation of Hungabee, and especially of Deltaform, made them easily distinguishable among the Ten Peaks. In the direction of Mt. Assiniboine the atmosphere was comparatively thick, and we did not have a satisfactory view of that splendid mountain. As there were no stones at the top, we built a cairn at a point where the rock outcropped on the saddle just below, and then, luncheon finished, we spent a considerable time in looking at the interesting crevasses in the glacier lying under the north face of the mountain and in examining the massive cornice overhanging the glacier on the mountain top. A suggestion of this most interesting feature may be had through a reference to the accompanying photograph, taken in connection with his topographical work, and kindly supplied by Arthur O. Wheeler, F.R.G.S., etc.
We arrived in camp again at about six o'clock, having made the descent without noteworthy incident, in five hours.
