Places: CA-Lyell

Lyell, Mount, Canyon, Fork (Mount Lyell)
(Long, Lat)

Description:

LYELL, MOUNT (13,090)

[Mount Lyell]

From Up and Down California by William Brewer     
THE SUMMIT OF MOUNT LYELL
From a sketch by Charles F. Hoffmann

“Mount Lyell, from Sir Charles Lyell [1797-1875], whose admirable geological works have been well known to students of this branch of science, in this country, for the past thirty years.” (Whitney: Yosemite Guide Book, 1870, p. 100.)

“The culminating point of the Mount Lyell group was ascended [1863], by Messrs. Brewer and Hoffmann; but they were unable to reach the very summit, which was found to be a sharp pinnacle of granite rising up above the snow.” (Whitney Survey: Geology, 1865, p. 431.)

“Members of the State Geological Survey Corps having considered it impossible to reach the summit of this lofty peak, the writer was astonished to learn from Mr. A. T. Tileston, of Boston, after his return to the Valley from a jaunt of health and pleasure in the High Sierra, that he had personally proven it to be possible by making the ascent. Incredible as it seemed at the time, three of us found Mr. Tileston’s card upon it some ten days afterwards.” (Hutchings: In the Heart of the Sierras, 1886, p. 488.)

First ascent by John Boies Tileston (1834-1898), of Boston, Massachusetts, August 29, 1871. (Letters of John Boies Tileston, Boston, 1922, pp. 89-90— S.C.B., 1926, XII:3, pp. 304-305.) This is undoubtedly the ascent referred to by Hutchings, who merely made a mistake in the initials. That John Muir did not climb the mountain until late in the fall of 1871 is indicated by his notes and writings.
“In 1889 the only records on the summit were: Edward A. Parker, —— McLean, July 2, 1875; 1. C. Russell, G. K. Gilbert, Aug. 12, 1883; W. D. Johnson, John Miller, Aug. 23-24, 1883; Gustave Starke, Sept. 12, 1885; H. P. Dyer, A. C. Dixon, J. A. Marsh, V. K. Chestnut, July 23, 1889.” (J. N. Le Conte, in S.C.B., 1922, XI:3, p. 247.) Parker and McLean were students of Professor Joseph Le Conte. (J. N. Le Conte.)

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