The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-05
HUNTING IN DEEP SNOW.
4 CHASE AFTER RoOKY MOUNTAIN
GOATS AND SHEEP.

winter snsFt Or n PnFty IN STontana-Ths
FeeliSh Goat and she WARY sheeP-Valuo
or ptnokeIeas Powder Demonatratea-A
Ysat ut staltinG-CstnToFt In Severe Cold.
KiPF, Mon, May 2e-A midwintor hunt in
the fastnessos OF the Rocky Mountains would
probably not appeal to the general run Of sports
men. Yet, IL one knows how to do 1t, such a
trip can be pleasantly and comfortably made.
even ~ the Thermometer does go 10 40 below
zero and tho snow 10 Bix feet deep. That, at
least, 10 tho unanimous opinion Of n party OF us
who made ouch n hunt last March. We also
learned 10 believe that the hardships of the
Klondikers have been overestimated; tho cold
and snow OF that far.ofr region would havo ne
terrors for us, Mt least.
Our party was made up Of two enthusiastic
sportsmen from Troy, N. ". who cRmo all tho
way out here In the winter hoping to kill q few
goats and sheep. Tho three others were Jack,
Joe and the writer, old and seasoned Montan-
fans. When Mac and George stepped from the
Pullman early ono morning at Bear Creek side
track on the Great Northern Railway and found
themselves waist deep in snow, one would have
thought their ardor would cool OF considerably.
But It didn't; they helped us dig their trunks
out OF the snow bank into which tho baggage
man had cast them. and take them into the SEQ
ton house. But the sight Of two fashionably
dressed men ioundering about in tho snow on
the summit of the Rockies had q visible
effect on the other passengers OF tho train, for
they alllaughed and cheered as they started on.
The section house keeper kindly gave us the
use of . room, and In n little while tho new ar.
rivals had changed their tino clothes and white
shirts for warm woollen suits and flannel shirts
and were ready to strike out into the noun.
tains. Jack. Joe and the writer had gone UP
several days before and already had camp made
on q little stream seven miles north Of Boar
Greek. and we'll stored with provisions and
bedding. So now we had only to carry out the
sleeping bags and extra clothing OF our friends.
We strapped on our snowshoes about 8 o'clock
and started for camp at q leisurcly gait, for
George had never worn such footgear bcforo;
but he took to them like q duck to water. with.
out q fall or misstep. 1t was not . very cold day,
the thermometer being about zero. and there
was no wind in the narrow. timborod valley we
weretravollinR through; but up on the mountains
which lowered above us We could see tho snow
drifting in binding clouds. Three miles from
Bear Greek we came to the head OF tho little
draw we were GLOWING up, then descended
q long. steep hill to the creek, on which our camp
was located. four miles above. When we struck
this creek there were some old sigma of elk.
They had made trails in the deep snow as they
fed about on the willows, and were undoubtedly
not far of; but a. they had already shed their
SAANASAee NNA "SaAN ~ aSASS ~ paw WYNN
not modest them. In due time we arrived in sight
of camp, which was situated under some large
Hnes at tho edge of q small prairie. We had
shovolled away the snow to put up the tent,
and the banks thus thrown up completely hid
It until one stood directly over it. 1t looked
cold and cheerless enough outside, but inside
It was quito different; our folding sheet-iron
stove gave out q genial heat and kept US warm
at all times. The stove had no bottom. and was
- 49, -t-lA - L.
on which it rested slowly gave out tho heat in
tho night which had been stored in them during
the daytime. SO that, oven on the coolest nights.
water did not freoze In the buckets. The back
half of the tent was our couch: q soft
and fragrant bed of balsam bouRhs, two
feet, deep had been laid down, and on this was
spread our blankets and sleeping bags. AL
though still early when We reached camp. It
was blowing too hard on the mountains to think
of bunting. SO we put in the balance of the day
Ioafng around, eating, smoking. and reading.
We had not forgotten to pack along u lot of nov
els and periodicals.. and by tho light of q roner-
GUS supply Of candles they helpod to while away
many n long evening. Our first night in camp
was without event. but in the morning George
complained that he had slept rather cold. On
Investigating the matter We found that instead
of slipping into his fur sleeping bag he had
merely crowded betweenit and tho thin canvas
cover.
Immediately in front of our tent on tho north
eide of tho stream rose q very high mountain. It
was impossible to climb 1t right there, for 1t rose
mp from the valley in q sheer wall tve or six
hundred feet high. Further up the valley, how
ever, 1t was practicable to climb up q steep
snowslido and thence work over to the top of
the olifr. from which the mountain again arose
in Q sertes of moro or less steep benches to Its
extreme height . milo away. Tho lower half of
the mountain was dotted here and there with
clumps Of stunted pines, AffordinR shelter and
food for the goats we knew lived upon 1t. This
was selected for our hunt that fret morn
ing, and we were fairly afoot by 7
o'clock. In some previous winter the snow
had started from the summit OF the mountain,
and, gathering force and volume as it went, had
cleared . wide cash down the steep incline clear
20 the bottom of the valleys huge boulders, turf,
brush and trees had been torn from the side of
the mountain and piled In q masS at the bottom.
We didn't feel quite a. safe IS We might az we
climbed this slide, but hoped that tho weather
was too cold to allow the snow to loose its grip,
and after o half hours pOrspirinR work We
0nally reached Q point where we could leave it
and work to the right among the pine groves
and shOlVos of rock.
We had not como moro than two hundred
cards from the slide when we came upon the
bE0cAb VI III BONC1s winch nAu oVloOntiy passed
along there that morning. Just then. too, the
wind began to blow. and in no time filed up and
OblitoFated the trails. We determined to 90 on,
hOwever. in the direction the tracks led. but
Boon had to give it up, a. the wind increased In
violence and almost blinded us with the snow
u whirlod about. So w retraced our steps to
the snow slide. and. sitting down en- our shoes,
rapidly glided down to the bottom and Themes
70 camp. For tho next three days 1t blew IN
0~Ossantly upon tho mountains and wo were
forced 70 remain in camp. But that was no
great hArdship, although the hunters from Troy
were tAirSting for gore. The morning
Of the fourth day broke cold and clear;
there wasn't n cloud in sight. and the
mountains almost blinded one with their
coat Of cleaning white. George and Jack de-
terninSd again to climb the mountain In front
Of camp, and Mao and Joe we're to take the next
one, beyond. The writer was to pass the day
cooking beans and various other staple articles
OF food which required timo and q hot IRE. BY
some oversight our grocer had left out the
baking powder. ana We wero obliged to mako
yeast bread. Think Of that. 70 housewives, who
nurse your yeast with every carol Think of
making yeast IN 2 snow bank and tho Their
About 2 o'clock the bread was baked and
RVArvthinR nrenar rod for n n N p NJ IN oNoL = = H.