The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-10-20
IN A LAND OF MYSTERY
Wonderful Sights Seen In The Mountains
Of Alaska.
LOST IN THE SNOW STORMS.
Jaspar Peaks Unequalled In Mag
nlflcence-Explorlng Mountains
OF lce-Popular Deluslons
Dlsslpated.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19.-The scientific
expedition sent out last spring under the
Joint auspices Of the National Geographi-
cal society and the United States geologi-
cal survey, for the purpose of exploring
the region about Mount St. Elias, Alaska,
las returned. Mr.. Russell, who organized
the expedition and had charge Of the
work, has furnished the Associated Press
n picturesque sketch of the work Of his
party. The actual base Of the operations
at the head Of YukAtat bay was reached
June %, and the study Of the geology aud
geography Of the region began at once.
They found an island near the head OF
the bay, which they named "Grand View
lsland.n From its summit, which rises
boldly thousand feet above the water, a
magnificent view was obtained Of a vast
stretch OF snow-clnd mountains, from
which glaciers Of great magnitude de-
sceuded to the sea. aud ended In ellis
several hundred feet high. From there the
icebergs crowding the bay were derived.
zone of these glaciers we named after
Dallon, pioneer explorer Of the region.
Another Of large size at the head Of the
bay, we named in honor of Gardner Hub
bard, president OF tho National Geo
graphical society. magnificent noun
tain peak, rising some 10000 feet immedi-
ately above the Hubbard glacier, received
the same name. Another towering peak
OH the same mountain crest, triangular
in shape, and always of the purest wLitc,
was named Mount Seattle.
"As soon as the topographic work was
well under way the line of march toward
Mount 81. Elias was decided upon. All
of our rntions, beIling, tents, etc, had TO
be carried or packed. by men, the charac-
ter OF the country not allowing the use OF
animals. We found passes in the noun
tains leading in the direction we wished
TO travel and no insurmountable Difficult
ties in the way; although great patience
and judgement were required in thread
ing the network Of crevasses in the ice
fields. Probably more than nine-tenths
Of our journey was across glaciers and
snow fields.
"On the first of August we were midway
between Yukaiat bay and st. Elias, but
still at the base of the mountains.
The timber line is there, about 1900 feet
high, and all trees disappear. A few
miles TO the west an island Of rock, sur
rounded by vast glaciers, hut clothed with
| beautiful flowers, rank ferns, and dense
| spruce trees, furnished delightful spot
for our base camp. We named this lovely
/ oasis "Blossom Island.n
"From there ourwork in the high noun
tains began. After 20 days Of hard work
above the snow line we found ourselves
encamped at the base of st. Elias. The
/ - g.. a
we had every prospect Of good days
climb on the morrow.
In the morning we began what we be-
lieyed to be the final ascent; but after n
few hours storm clouds settled down
around us; snow began 10 fall, and all the
land marks were lost TO view. The storm
continued for % hours without cessation,
and Il was with difficulty that we found
our way through the binding snow 10
camp where the necessary rations were 10
be had.
The second attempt was made To reach
the summit two days later; but another
storm broke on the mountains as sud-
denly as the first. This time |
was alone in the highest camp,
where | was imprisoned for six days
before was able TO reIoin the party be-
low. When started down there were six
feet Of new snow, which refused TO
harden and rendered il impossible to do
moro work on the peaks. On descending
10 the lower levels | started on an excur-
sion up the glacier between st. Elias
range and Mount Cook, which gave prom
Use Of leading TO low pass across the
main range, but third snow storm COM
| ing up was obliged 10 return 10 Blossom
| island, and there 1 rejoined Mr.. Kerr, the
topographcr, who had descended few
| days previous. My stay above snow line
lasted 80 days. During that time we lived
in tents, many times camping on open
glaciers so as TO be out of the reach Of
avalnnches.
After returning to Blossom island an
excursion was made far out on the Pied
mont glacier, which forms a plateau
about 1900 feet high, stretc hing along the
base Of the st. Elias range. This glacier
is Of the continental type in distinction
from the Alpine glaciers, and has an area
by estimate of about 1900 square miles.
II is the largest glacier known in the
northern hemisphere with the exception
Of the ice fields of Iceland. We returned
to Yukatat bay about the 2Oth of Sepiem.
ber, having had stormy weather almost
all the time since leaving the vicinity Of
ST. Elias, and on the 22d our hearts were
glnddened by seeing the steamer Corwin
coming up the bay, Captain Hooper hav-
ing made cruise from Sitka especially
for our relief and 20 convey the expe1i-
ton To Port Townsend.
From the point of view Of the scien.
tist the expedition was success.
The plan proposed in starting was car
ried out almost TO the letter, so far as
the study Of the glaciers. geology,
and topography was concerned, but we
did not reach the top OF Mount st. Elias.
Measurements made have determined
that all the mountains in this region arc
lower than previously supposed aud that
ST. Elias, instead Of being the highest
point in North America, in reality is a
second rate mountain. Its elevation, in
stead of being 1850 feet, is about 1880.
Mount Cook has an elevation OF ~, 25g and
Vancouver 9,igD.