The same cloud will discharge hail alone in one part, hail and rain in another, and rain only in a third, all within the space of a few miles; while at the same time there is snow falling on the mountains to the southeast of us.

There is at present no snow on those mountains; that which covered them on our arrival, as well as that which has since fallen, having disappeared.

The mountains to the north and northwest of us are still entirely covered with snow; indeed, there has been no perceptible diminution of it since we first saw them, which induces a belief either that the clouds prevailing at this season do not reach their summits or that they deposit their snow only.

They glisten with great beauty when the sun shines on them in a particular direction, and most probably from this glittering appearance have derived the name of the Shining Mountains." A mysterious noise, heard by the party, here engaged their attention, as it did years afterwards the attention of other explorers.

The journal says:-- "Since our arrival at the falls we have repeatedly heard a strange noise coming from the mountains in a direction a little to the north of west.
It is heard at different periods of the day and night (sometimes when the air is perfectly still and without a cloud), and consists of one stroke only, or of five or six discharges in quick succession.