Abstract
THE new number of Petermann's Mitteilungen contains a letter from Dr. Hans Meyer, written from Taveta, at the foot of Kilimanjaro, giving some details of his ascent of that mountain, and the results of his observations; it is accompanied by a sketch-map. Dr. Meyer, with one white companion and twenty-two natives, started from Mareale's village, at the south foot of the mountain, in the beginning of July, and proceeded to mount the southern slopes. At 1800 metres the last bananas were passed, and at 2000 metres the saturated forest belt was entered, which on the second day was left behind. Immediately above this stretches a broad belt of grass, and here a north-west line was struck, and for two days the upper edge of the forest was skirted. On the second day Johnston's old camp was reached, where in the water-courses an abundance of large Ericaceous plants was found growing. Here the two beautiful peaks were seen for the first time, and thence-forth only partial glimpses were obtained through the prevailing clouds. Only eight men would go further than this, and when the snow-line was reached five of them refused to go further. On the third day a northerly route was taken over grass-covered lava-fields, with snow-streams sometimes cutting their channels 50 metres deep into the lava. Dr. Meyer made for the saddle which joins the two peaks of Kibo on the west and Kimawenzi on the east. After 6000 paces a level spur of the saddle was reached, where between the great blocks of lava the green meadows marked the upper course of the snow-streams. Here the last traces were seen of Senecio Johnstoni in the bed of a brook about 4000 metres high. About 2000 paces further up great cliffs of lava were met with, and here at the snow-line the tent was pitched. Thence, with his companion and three natives, photographic apparatus, and provisions for three days, Dr. Meyer proceeded to ascend to the Kibo crater. After 3000 paces a wild and shattered hill of lava, whence the lava-stream proceeded, was met with; this was the first of a series of such hills, between which the snow lay thick. Turning to the north-west the party made direct for Kibo over the old lava-streams, and at about 5000 metres reached the last cone of ashes before the ascent to the summit itself. Here the two white men encamped (the natives going back), with a night temperature of - 11° C. Early next morning they made directly for the east side of the mountain over debris-covered lava, and came on great snow-fields in the spaces between the lava-hills. After a time sleet came on, and, as the sun got higher, clouds covered the mountain, and the temperature fell from + 8° C. to - 3°. Dr. Meyer's companion became so exhausted he had to drop behind, and he himself suffered greatly. Proceeding onwards, he met with more extensive snow-fields, and higher still with great ice-blocks, and a less steep stretch covered with ice-debris. Some 20 metres beyond this point he saw a great blue wall of ice rise before him to about 34 or 40 metres high, and evidently stretching all round the crater, fn Dr. Meyer's exhausted condition, and without ice-axes, to ascend this wall, which evidently surrounded the crater, was impossible. So, after taking some hasty observations and notes, he began his descent, which was accomplished safely. As the wall seems to extend round the east, south, and west sides of the crater, Dr. Meyer concludes that probably the crater itself is filled with ice. It is remarkable that no snow seems to exist at all on the north side. Dr. Meyer promises to give full details on his return home to Leipzig, and these may render his account more intelligible to Alpinists.
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Geographical Notes . Nature 37, 158–159 (1887). https://doi.org/10.1038/037158c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/037158c0