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130 FROM THE ALPS TO THE ANDES
party. Since they placed great confidence in
my powers — although I knew as yet little
about this new route—it was arranged that we
should all go as far as the Pedriolo Alp and
that the expedition should remain there till I
had reconnoitred the path, in order to avoid
all danger.
It was the 2nd of September when our
party set out. The other guides were Lud-
wig Burgener of Macugnaga, and Casimir
Therisod of Rhémes. By 10 a.m., we reached
the Pedriolo Alp and from here we wanted to
make for the Marinelli Hut, but the weather
was anything but hopeful and the tops of
the mountains were hidden by clouds; we
therefore decided to wait till the following
day. My patrons were very vexed at this
delay, as they had intended reaching the
Punta Gnifetti in order to be present at the
inauguration of the Regina Margherita Hut.
But I did not despair, although at sunset
there seemed little chance of a fine morrow.
When the morning broke, every one was
jubilant at seeing a promise of glorious
weather.
We despatched a messenger to Macugnaga
for some provisions and, shortly afterwards,
took the way to the Marinelli Hut. Two