Evening star., 1898-02-04
THE KLONDIkE WEATHER
Personal Observations to Be Taken by a
Washington Official.
Mr.. Z. G. Myers Leaves Today With the
Yukon as Ultimate Destina-
tfGn-His Object.


for brief visit to his home. His ulti
mate destination is the Klondike region
where he will go under the auspices of the
cfief of the weather bureau to take obser
vations in the Yukon district, the Klondikt
region and most likely the Copper Rivel
locality. Mr. Myers will form a party O.
four which will leave for Seattle in a few
| days. From there they will go to ethel
Dyea or Skaguay, and go thence to the
Klondike. The gentlemen who will accom-
pany Mr.. Myers are A. H. Dunham and A
| G.. Ward of New Haven, Conn, and Mr.
II. c. Robinson of Los Angeles, Cal. Mr.
Robinson will join the other three at Seat
tie.
Mr.. Myers is a young man. about thirty
years of age, and unmarried. He has
been connected with the weather bureau
FOR about ten years. He has had much
experience in the west, having at one
time in the 90s been observer on Pike s
Peak. He remaired there until the sta
ton was discontinued in 1894. He mas
had other similar experiences in the west
and thinks they will stand him in good
stead for the proposed trip. He has ex-
cellent health and fine physique. He is
confident that the party will get through
all right.
Mr.. Myers Primary Object.
Speaking to a Star reporter today, he
said
"Of course there are a great many OBJ
stacles in our way of going direct to the
Klondike, but we will go to Seattle, and
just as soon as possible go to Skaguay.
We may be able to reach the Klondike in
March or April at the latest. The primary
object of the trip will be mining for gold.
From my connection with the weather bu-
reau thought that it would De good idea
to get years leave of absence and take
voluntary observations at different stations
at which / might be. The weather bureau
ing the high barometer in those regions as
they are productive frequently of what are
known as highs
I'VE wish to get all the facts possible
concerning the origin and continuance OF
these. OF course records of temperature
and other data will be taken. 1t will be
troublesome, however, to arrange for max.
ing wind observations.
Our first destination will be the Klon-
dixie locality, as we will wish to find out all
that is possible concerning the methods OF
mining, living and other matters up in that
country. We shall probably stay there
some little time, and will most likely go to
the Copper river region. We have entered
into a contract to stick together, as, OF
course, this is chief requisite for success
in such a country. We have great hopes
cessfully. The others of the party will
have nothing to do with my observations.
Difficulty of the PASSES.
There are a number of matters which
have not been definitely arranged yet We
will probably experience considerable diff
Guilty In getting over the passes, and have
not yet decided how we will do this; wheth-
er by dog trains or in some other woy. The
matter of clothing is the most important
one to be considered, as there are two va
rieties Of climate in that country-the dry,
when f1annels are needed principally and
the wet and moist in the spring, when rub
bers and waterproofs must be used.
Mr.. Myers stated that the cost of the
OUTFIT, including clothing, tools and provi-
sions to last a year, will be between $3.50
and s4OO.
1t was thought at first, when he men,
toned this sum, that 1t was that amount
each, but he declared that 1T was for all
four. and stated positively he was certain
that this would be sufficient for all pur-
poses AS he has been on expeditions of
somewhat similar nature before, he said
he knew what he was talking about in this
regard. The outfit will probably be pur-
chased in Seattle.
The instruments which he will take will
consist of six thermometers. such as are
used in observations by the weather bu-
reau, and two barometers.
The whole package containing the instru-
ments, Mr.. Myers says. will not take up a
space more than two feet long by six inches
grooves made especially for them in boxes,
these grooves being lined with flannel.
They will fit tight, SO there will be no
chance of them moving down and becoming
broken They will weigh but little, and
will hardly affect the progress Of the party.
Mr.. Myers says he will probably carry a
rifle and a light shotgun. The latter will
be used for killing grouse, of which there Is
generally a large number in the country
through which he Is going, and which will
add materially to their food supply.
The Expected Results.
1t is believed the result of Mr.. Myers OBJ
servations will be to greatly aid the
weather bureau in their forecasting and
general work. The farthest north any sta
tion is now located from which they re-
ceive reports. indirectly, is Edmonton, in
the British possessions. 1t Is not thought
that the Canadian government will object
in the least to the observations being
taken, as they are not official in certain
sense, but only voluntary on Mr.. Myers
part. He will carry with him letter from
the chief of the weather bureau, explain
ing his mission and containing full creden-
tials.