noon
We might have made the summit before night , but for a delay caused by the loss of an umbrella . I was allowing the umbrella to remain lost , but the men murmured , and with reason , for in this exposed region we stood in peculiar need of protection against avalanches ; so I went into camp and detached a strong party to go after the missing article . The difficulties of the next morning were severe , but our courage was high , for our goal was near . At noon we conquered the last impediment -- we stood at last upon the summit , and without the loss of a single man except the mule that ate the glycerin . Our great achievement was achieved -- the possibility of the impossible was demonstrated , and Harris and I walked proudly into the great dining-room of the Riffelberg Hotel and stood our alpenstocks up in the corner . Yes , I had made the grand ascent ; but it was a mistake to do it in evening dress . The plug hats were battered , the swallow-tails were fluttering rags , mud added no grace , the general effect was unpleasant and even disreputable .