The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-10
MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS
ADVENTUROUS AMERICANS WILL Ex-
PLoRE THEIR OWN COUNTRY.
They Want the World 10 Know that
America Ia Not ExceIled I'm Nous
tain scenery-wonderful Lake.

country was utterly devoid Of the facilities
for gratifying such an amusement This feel
ing still exists among those who are unac-
quainted with the resources Of the country.
and wherever given expression to. Il a sure
indication OF ignorance. coupled with stu
pid desire TO ape a certain brand Of Euro
pean aristocracy. IL Is related that Ameri-
cans of this class are sometimes seen parad-
ing the streets Of Paris rugged out IN brand
new Alpine suits. with ropes picturesQuely
twined about them and alpenstocks In their
hands, feeling that the world is looking on
in envy and destiny is prepared to receive
them in loving embrace. To overcome this
lack OF information and TO encourage love
of nature. as displayed In American noun
tains. there was organized. on the summit
OF Mount Hood, in Oregon. during the sum-
mer of 1894. mounta;n-ciimbers club.
known as Mazamas. that combines pleasure
with scientific research. Membership is i'm
tied to those who have climbed to the sum-
nit OF a snow-capped mountain, that the
club viii accept Its object in brief. j. to
compel the world to understand that Ameri-
ca. and especially the Pacific coast. possesses
some of the finest mountain scenery TO be
found anywhere. During 1895 an effort was
made to send a message. by heliograph. from
British Columbia to Mexico. but the expert
ment was seriously interfered with by a Sc
we're storm. which ragged at the time One OF
the clubs plans is TO organize an excursion
into the mountains every summer, and 10 do
everything possible to encourage people to
attend sessions held at that time. On such
occasions IL aims TO bring together the finest
scientific minds Of the country and TO discuss
questions relating especially TO the noun
tains. This year the meeting will be held at
Crater lake. on the summit of the Cascade
range of mountains in southern Oregon.
from Aug. l6 to %, inclusive. The lake Ii
about ninety miles from the Southern Pa
ciic railroad and Is reached by good wagon
roads The Southern Pacific company has
granted special rates to those who attend
and the Mazamas have secured rate Of
$50 per passenger. by stage. from the rail-
road to the lake and return.
CRATER LAKE.
The world possesses no rival to Crater lake,
in its solemn and impressive grandeur. 1t II
located in the crater OF what was once an
enormous mountain, and has no visible inlet
or outlet. yet the water is cold. clear, fresh
and sweet. The surface of the water Is SIS
feet above sea level. and 1t Is two thousand
feet deep. On all sides rise nearly perpen-
dicular walls, varying in height from a mar
row notch 52s feet to 1883 feet. and prob
ably averaging about one thousand feet It
is nearly circular in form. and Is four BY
FIVE miles IN extent. In the western end IL
located Wizard island, a cinder cone. SIS feet
high, in the top OF which Is found what was
probably the last smoking vent or once
mighty volcano. 1t is small crater. about
one hundred feet deep. During the summer
Of 1856 had built in Portland, for the gov
eminent, three boats. to be used In sounding
the lake. and assisted in that xork. Tbs
largest boat. the Fleetwood. was tEenty-s<x
feet long, and no better craft OF It's class
was ever constructed. These boats were car
ried on a fiat car to Ashland, S4S
miles south. then loaded on wagons, properly
equipped for the purpose. and carried
into the mountains, nearly hundred miles.
then launched over the cliffs into the water.
one thousand feet below, without 90 much
as scratching them
There is probably no spot in America OF
which the Indians entertain 50 wholesome
a dread Crater lake. Under no circum-
stances will they visit It. feeling that In
so doing they would be simply inviting sud-
den death. During the summer OF 1885 ]
secured from the chief Of the klamath
tribe the following tradition in reference
to the discovery of the lake. and which ex-
plains the Indians dread Of IL:
"A long time ago. before the white man
appeared in this region to vex and drive the
proud native out, band OF klamafhs,
while out hunting. came suddenly upon the
lake, and were startled by its remarkable
walls and awed by it's majestic proper
tons. With spirits subdued and trembling
with fear, they silently approached and
them the Great Spirit dwelt there and they
dared not remain. but passed silently down
the side or the mountain and camped far
away. BY some unaccountable influence.
however. one brave was induced TO return.
He went up to the very brink of the preci-
plce ana started his camp fire. Here ne
| laid down to rest: here he slept tn morn.
slept Till the sun was high in air. then
arose and joined his tribe far down the
mountain. At night he cstne again; again
ne slept till morn Each visit bore charm
that drew him back again. Each night
found him sleeping above the rocks; each
night strange voices arose from the waters;
mysterious noises filed the air. At last.
after a great many moons. he climbed
| down to the lake. and there bathed and
] spent the night. Often he climbed down in
like manner. and frequently saw wonderful
| animals similar in all respects 20 Klamath
| Indians, except that they seemed 10 exist
| entirely in the water. He suddenly became
harder and stronger than any indian or
his tribe because or his many visits TO the
mysterious waters. Others then began to
| seek its influence. JOld warriors sent their
sons for strength and courage to meet<the
conflicts awaiting them First they slept
! on the rocks above. then ventured TO the
waters edge. but. last OF all. they plunged
beneath the flood, and the coveted strength
was theirs. On one occasion the braee
who first visited the lake killed . monster.
or fish, and was at once set upon by un-
told numbers OF excited LAOS tfor such
they were Called who carried him 10 the
top OF cliff, cut his throat with a stone
| knife. then tore his body into small pieces.
which were thrown down 20 the waters.
| far beneath, where he was devoured by the
angry LAOS. ard such shall be the fate OF
| every klamath brave who. from that day
| 10 this. dares TO look upon the lake"
PLANS FOR THE YEAR.
| Great care has been exercised by the Ma
zamas IN preparing for this years outing.
1t is expected that the scientific branches
| OF the government will be represented BY
! experts in their various lines. and thai
| some or the best scientists on the Paci1c
coast Will be present 10 participate in the
| proceedings. One novel feature OF tho
meeting will be a barbecue OF wild game.
lob A. 4r. unity Inf