An Impromptu Ascent of Mont Blanc

VILLAGE OF CHAMONIX. 1 Summit of Mont Blanc. 2 Bosses du Dromadaire. 3 Dôme du Goûté. 4 Aiguille du Goûté. 5 Grands Mulets. 6 Glacier des Bossons. 7 Montagne de la Côte. 8 Glacier de Taconnaz.
LONDON: ELLIOT STOCK, PUBLISHER, 62 PATERNOSTER ROW. BIRKENHEAD: E. GRIFFITH & SON, HAMILTON STREET. 1882. BIRKENHEAD: E. Griffith & Son, Printers, Caxton Works, Hamilton Street
The interest which still follows individual ascents of Mont Blanc, notwithstanding the attraction of other mountain peaks, must be my apology for once again repeating an oft-told tale; but with this endeavour, to make the narrative a true and unvarnished account of what we did and how we did it, and to present the accompanying illustrations (which, for the most part, are taken from photographs) free from exaggeration.

Evening at Chamonix—Excursion to the Brévent—View of the Mont Blanc chain.
Commencement of the ascent—Pierre Pointue—Crossing the Glacier des Bossons—An awkward bit— Cabane on the Grands Mulets.
View from the Grands Mulets—A foreign invasion—Trying to sleep—Preparation for a night march.
The start at midnight—Ascending the Montées—Arrival at the Petit Plateau—An attempt at breakfast on the Grand Plateau—The expedition jeopardised through mountain sickness—Churlish foreigners —The ascent resumed—Repose on the Rochers des Bosses—Climbing the Mauvaise Arête—The final assault—The goal reached.
Descending the back bone —Approach of clouds—An unfortunate slip—Floundering in the snow—In danger—An awkward descent—In and out of the snow—The Cabane at last—Delicious repose—The journey resumed—Re-crossing the Glacier—A thunderstorm in the Forest des Pélerins—Welcome back.
A few words on our complexions—Certificates procured—Ladies' preparation for an attempt—Nipped in the bud—Concluding remarks.
A brief account of some of the most noted ascents—Routes to Chamonix from the Lake of Geneva.