Scrambles Amongst the Alps in the Years 1860-69

A vivid memoir of a 19th‑century wanderer who traded the bustle of London for the craggy heights of the Alps, this narrative begins with a commission to sketch the great peaks before the author had ever set foot on one. Guided by a fortuitous French companion, he joins an English party intent on scaling Mont Pelvoux, an undertaking that transforms curiosity into a hard‑won triumph. The early chapters capture the awe of that first ascent, the crisp mountain air, and the quiet humor that steadied him amid icy winds and precarious ledges.

Interwoven with striking full‑page illustrations, the account offers a hands‑on look at the era’s pioneering routes, from the rugged ridges of the Matterhorn to the narrow passes of the Mont Cenis railway. Readers hear the clatter of rope‑breaks, the camaraderie of fellow climbers, and the meticulous observations of glaciers and rock formations. The author's candid voice brings the challenges and delights of early Alpine exploration to life, inviting listeners to share in the wonder of each step toward the summit.