CHAPTER X.

THE FUTURE OF MOUNTAINEERING Mountaineers and their critics—The early days of the Alpine 300 Club—The founders of mountaineering—The growth of the amusement—Novelty and exploration—The formation of centres—Narrowing of the field of mountaineering—The upward limit of mountaineering—De Saussure’s experience—Modern development of climbing—Mr. Whymper’s experience—Mr. Graham’s experience—The ascent of great heights—Mr. Grove’s views—Messrs. Coxwell and Glaisher’s balloon experiences—Reasons for dissenting from Mr. Glaisher’s views—The possibility of ascending Mount Everest—Physiological aspect of the question—Acclimatisation to great heights—The direction in which mountaineering should be developed—The results that may be obtained—Chamouni a century hence—A Rip van Winkle in the Pennine Alps—The dangers of mountaineering—Conclusion

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ILLUSTRATIONS THE BIETSCHHORN FROM THE PETERSGRAT _Frontispiece_ THE AIGUILLE DU DRU FROM THE SOUTH _to face page_ 169 A VISION ON A SUMMIT " 282

ABOVE THE SNOW LINE