Hours of Exercise in the Alps

"Hours of Exercise in the Alps" by John Tyndall is a collection of travel narratives and reflections on mountaineering written in the late 19th century. The work recounts the author’s personal adventures in the majestic alpine landscape while exploring both the physical challenges of climbing and the profound connection with nature that these experiences foster. Through a series of essays, Tyndall invites readers to partake in his exhilarations and the contemplations born from the breathtaking beauty and dangers of the mountains. The opening of the text sets the stage for Tyndall’s journey back to the Alps after a period away, highlighting his yearning for the invigorating alpine air and the joy of climbing. He details his preparations to meet up with his old guide, Lauener, for an ascent, underscoring the camaraderie vital to such endeavors. The narrative conveys not just the physical exertion experienced during the climbs but also the mental struggles and triumphs. Tyndall reflects on the beauty of nature, the importance of respect, caution, and knowledge in mountaineering, while framing these reflections against the backdrop of his friendships and the challenges faced in the unforgiving alpine environment. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Tyndall (; 2 August 1820 – 4 December 1893) was an Irish physicist and chemist. His scientific fame arose in the 1850s from his study of diamagnetism. Later he made discoveries in the realms of infrared radiation and the physical properties of air, proving the connection between atmospheric CO2 and what is now known as the greenhouse effect in 1859.