The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-07-21

THE TIME To GO TO CLoNDYkE-
TIE statement 80 frequently mace nc~
that the SEASON II too bate FOR going 70
the Ynkoa CT tHe Clondyk% IS not neses-
sarily correct. Conditions on the Yukon
have changed very much within the last
few years When the first miners and
prosp@ctors went into the Yukon country
the winter was considered as tne dead Sea-
son. Ken absolutely 10 work could be
done. II was az nrSt the rule for men to go
In In she spring. do what work was posi-
bic during the brief open season and come
our before the winter had set in.
T'as- working season Was thus considered
as limited 10 three months in the year
Claims from which q fair years wages
could not be taken out in three months
were absolutely disregarded Fifteen dol
lars day to the man. which could be had
on many Of the tributaries Of the Yukon.
WIS not enough 70 tempt fortune seekers.
and hundreds OF rich claims were pros
,.erss.i only 20 be ara ndoned. Time YVES
when the adventurous few who decided TO
az almost foolhariy in their daring.
Ia more recent years. however. the num-
Der OF those who have wintered in the Yu-
kon has been growing annually larger. 1t
remained with those who we're the pioneer
dlseoverers OF the famed Ciondyke 10 es-
,ahlish the fact that not only could per-
sons winter In the Yukon basin without
any danger TO their health, hGt that in
fact, the winte. was the best time for DO
ing work on the claims.
The first rich discovery on the Cloudyke
vas made in August last. Nearly every
one OF the claims from which the almost
fabulous wealth has been extracted was
located after that time. some Of them in
the dead of winter. On all OF these claims
work was prosecuted during all the win
ter. shafts being sunk 70 bed rock and
drifts driven the earth being taken 10 the
surface in readiness for siu!eing when the
ice went out OF the stream and water was
available for the work.
IL experiences on the Clondyke are 10
bee taken as a criterion. 1t would certainly
weeks of time ia which TO reach the Yu-
kon the present season. and that the win
ter II spent in that country will not be lost
time
All this. however. applies solely 10 the
young, robust men. able TO stand the
gloom and hardships inseparable 10
scni-Arctic winter, who go in abundant
iy supplied with provisions for their own
needs. and who appreciate thoroughly
what they have 70 meet and endure
Frankly speaking, no other class of men
should venture upon the expedition At any
season OF the year with the intention OF
entering upon the quest for gold.
Unless prospectors can start not later
than the first week in August, they should
not make the attempt until next spring.
even II the steamship Iines. tempted by
the offer % travel should extend their
usual season and undertake 10 land pas
eeagers either at Dyea or ST. Mlchaels.
The trip from here 70 those places Will be
for a mouth or 50 later only "A pleasant
Journey. but from those ports the hard
ships % be encountered are far more than
most men Viii endure. Before the end OF
September snow viii have faIlea heavily
enough TO block the pass. and win not
Be hard enough for transportation. SIS it
wtI 0e by March. Those who would 90
- way Of 81 Mlchaels would have to
take tse FISK Of ice in the river. besides
which boat naigAt Dc very unwilling 70
take the chances If = late t,t,-r!Her sour