Bismarck weekly tribune., 1888-10-05
GRAND TEToNs GLACIERS.
Story of Their Exploration by Rev. Samuel
Parker and Party.

story of Their Exploration by Rev. Samuel
Parker and Party.
Especial Correspondence
CHEYENNE, Sept. 25.-So far as know the
glaciers on the Grand Tetons have never
been described. This region of Wyoming
was first invaded by the Rev. Samuel Par
ker during 1895. Its first and probably
only descent was made by an exploring party
of the United States Geological Survey, IN
charge of Mr.. A. D. Wilson. Reaching the
top of a deep notch 5000 feet high, they soon
climbed down over bank of snow and out
on small glacier, which filled the amphi.
theatre, or basin, at this point. Crossing this
quickly they found themselves face to face
with the peak itself, where it looked as if
it would be almost impossible to climb very
nigh. They halted a moment to examine the
ground ahead. Finally, they concluded to
follow up the long slide which came from the
southwest slope Of the peak. This would
enable them to reach the saddle on the
main ridge. They proceeded over the great
loose mass of angular powders of granite,
first giving strict orders that the others were
not to follow in line, as it would be impos-
sible to prevent the powders from rolling
under the feet of those in advance After
about one hours hard climbing they reached
the saddle, and halted again for moment to
take look at the peak from that side. The
walls extended below the saddle on either
side, compelling the party to follow path
worn smooth by the snow slides which passed
down this channel every spring.
Mr.. Wilson took the lead and climbed as
best he could, carrying a transit OH his back
with no difficulty until place was reached
where the rocks wero well polished and
standing almost vertical. Nothing daunted
hecontinued, fuding here and there a finger
hold or crack in which he could
stick toe. When he came to a place
where there was good standing room be
waited for his companions, but had not
rested long before cry for help came up
from below. Crawling out on jutting stone
and looking down he saw about forty feet be-
meath him one of the men clinging to the
face OF the bluff, as a starish might hang on
DreakWater The man was in such posi-
ton that ho could neither get up nor down.
Mr. Wilson cast him a rope, and thus aided
he got up safely. After another lift or two
the climbing temporarily became little bet
ter, the rocks here were more broken, thus
Offering better hold for hand and foot. The
party next reached the notch, formed of two
walls as they cross the peak. Much to their
chagrin they could find no means of getting
up the wall to the right, which they had
to do in order to reach the last high
peak. At the lowest point the wall was
forty feet high, composed of granite,
smooth and vertical, without break
anywhere that could possibly be scaled.
Thus they found themselves completely
blocked within few feet of the top, after a
weary climb Of $1,000 feet. Turning to the
left they climbed to the top of the western
point, where they found circular inclosure
OF rocks, such as are often seen on many
western mountains, evidently built by the
Indians. OF course, this party, and probably
no other, ever scaled the main peak, perhaps
hundred feet higher, but they had grand
panorama of views while climbing, includ-
ing Fremont's peak, far in the distance, ard Of
pretty much all the peaks mentioned herein.
A remarkable phenomenon was witnessed on
the great walls Of ice of the glaciers. The
ice was permeated with grasshoppers, which,
in trying to migrate over the Rockies, had
struck against the ice and become part of
it to such an extent that they were enabled
to do much climbing by clinging to the rough
surfaces made by the bodies of the insects.
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