Evening star., 1897-12-03
THE DANGERS INCURRED
1nformatiSh 81 65 Those. Who Contemplate a
5 "Trip to Alaska
The Distances From Point to Point
ana the Item of Expense-Pre-
eatutOnary Measures.

The District Commissioners have received
| a communication from Mr.. E. Brainerd.
secretary of the bureau of information of
the chambef of commerce, Seattle, Wash,
showing tShe, distances, dangers and prob
able expense of an Alaskan prospecting
Journey
MI Branerd's letter contained a copy of
a circular sent to Mr.. Will D. Jenkins, sec
retary of state. at Olympia. together with
Mr.. jenkins reply thereto. The first nam-
ed, that to Mr.. Jenkins, stated:
Last month there was sent to you by
tEis bureau a circular letter, requesting
certain information and asking would you
be willing to make public carefully pre-
pared statement to be approved by public
officers. showing the distance. dangers and
probable expense of an Alaskan prospect
ing journey?"
SO many governors of states and may
ors Of cities have expressed a willingness
to do this that l send you herewith con-
else statement, signed by VIII D. Jenkins,
secretary of state of the state of Wash
lrgton, which 1 will ask you to make public
for the benefit of whom it may concern, be-
lleVing, as you probably will, that such an
authentic, conservative statement Will be
of great public benefit. Any explicit ques-
tons as to details of the journey will be
answered as thoroughly and accurately as
possible by the Undersigned.
The Reply Received.
Mr.. Jenkins reply was:
There are two established routes to the
Klondike country from Puget Sound One
is by way of the ocean to st. Michael's,
thence by river steamer up the Yukon.
This journey is made in the summer
months only. The other is also by steamer
to Dyea, Skaguay or Pyramid HarDor, and
thence over the Chilcoot. White Pass. ant.
the Daulton Trail respectively, to the
headwaters of the Yukon, and then down
by boat. The distance over the various
trails to boat navigation on Lakes Linde-
man and Bennett and the Pelly river is as
follows:
"Dyea to Lake Lindeman, - miles; Skag-
uay to Lake Bennett, Al miles; from Pyra-
mid Harbor to Pelly river over the Daulton
trail, AIS miles. Each of these trails has
been successfully used by parties going
into the yukon; the first two being most
generally used. Distance from Seattle to
Dyea or Skaguay, $50 miles; to Pyramid
Harbor, 965 miles; Seattle to mouth OF fu-
kon river. 2.J00 miles: from mouth OF Yu-
kon to Dawson City, 1.725 miles; Dyea or
time of travel from Seattle by either way
is about the same--thirty or forty days
Expense, Excluding Transportation.
mo person should start for the gold fields
with less than 500, excluding his trans
portation to Puget sound This sum will
be barely sufficient for one man for one
year with the scant necessities of life and
travelling, under the most favorable cir
cumstanccs.
Persons inexperienced in mountain trav-
el are cautioned that the utmost care
should be -takento preserve Il secure foot
ing IN climbing steep ascents and in fording
streams.
''No enc should attempt to shoot rapids
unless thoroughly conversant with the
method. OF the many thousands who have
gene in tAil year not more than half Il
dcZen have lost their lives, and these have
Keen ftcm carefcssness in fording.
The summers on the Yukon are short,
the winters are long, and the, weather is
severe. Extreme heat and cold exists, max
ing the climate yS;ifficult to endure. on ac-
count of the fsoIation of the mining regions
all persons are cautioned to take ample
supplies of provisions and of warm cloth
ing"