The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-04
Pat Holland Describes the Trip in
Detail.
HE WENT THERE AND BACK
Some Valuable Points for Those Who
Intend to Go to the Alluring Fields
Away Up North to Seek
Their Fortunes.

the Journey and knows what is to be
encountered. Patrick J. Holland,
miner we'll known in the camp for 10
years, who returned recently, having
made the round trip TO Dawson City
and back since the middle OF August.
furnishes the Standard with a detailed
description of the route he traversed.
On reaching Alaska one goes direct
to Dyea, if it is the intention TO go
over the Chilcoot pass, and to Skag-
uay if the White pass is to be taken
Chlcoot pass leads to the head of Lake
Linderman, and White pass to the foot
of the lake. 1t is presumed most peo-
pie will take the Skaguay route, as the
cable tramway will be in operation
over the pass from that point. which
will obviate the necessity of packing to
the lake.
Upon arriving at the lake one builds
a boat or buys one, which can be done
now, and embarks. From the head of
Lake Linderman TO the outlet connect
ing Lakes Linderman and Bennett. or
the point where one embarkS If going
by Skaguay, it is about six miles. The
outlet is three-quarters of a mile long
and very narrow, the water rushing
through at terrific rate, and making
it necessary that the boat be lightened
by unloading the greater portion of the
cargo and packing it to the head of
Lake Bennett. For this portion of the
trip a supply of rope must be carried,
and before entering the outlet, the
ropes are attached to the stern of the
boat and the occupants must walk on
shore and hold the boat back to pre-
vent it's being dashed on the rocks and
the bottom ground out, or theboat COM
pletely wrecked. This and other places
difficult to pass, which are encountered
on the trip, render it safer and more
a n a that ngrtipS of from
three to five travel together as well as
increasing the progress that may be
made by having plenty of hands at the
oars.
At the head of Lake Bennett the
stores that have been portrayed are
loaded into the boat again and sail set
for the trip down the lake, which is %
miles long and smooth sailing. If a fair
wind is blowing the plain square sail
is set, and the rs miles covered without
effort: If not, you must either wait for
the wind to turn and blow the other
way--it blows in only two directions,
UP or down the lake-or take to the
oars. At the foot of Lake Bennett the
traveller comes to CaraDoo crossing. or
Three Mile river. as the outlet is known
which connects Lake Bennett and Lake
Tagish The river is deep and smooth,
and the boat down the three miles into
Lake Tagish, which is is miles long and
is traversed the same as Lake Bennett.
At the foot of this lake the traveller
strikes Six Mile river. also "A deep,
smooth stream, and three miles down
the river, or Just midway between Lake
Tagish and Marsh or Mud lake. is the
Canadian customs house. where her
majestys servants go through the car
go and levy and collect the duties that
are imposed. The customs officers are
pleasant fellows to deal with If one
makes no attempt to hide anything that
IFa1 n
ual who is caught trying TO smuggle.
After passing the customs house, the
boat floats down the remaining three
miles of the river into Marsh lake,
which. as stated, is sometimes called
Mud lake. This lake is 10 miles long
and is traversed like the others. Reach
ing the foot of the lake the traveller
comes to Fifty Mile, or Lewis river. a
stream broad. deep and swift, which
makes navigation a pleasure, until the
| famous Canyon is reached, ~ miles
down the river. Here the cargo must
be pretty nearly all taken out-all but
| enough for ballast-and the traveller
| must man the oars. There should be
at least three in the boat. two at the
| oars and one to steer. ana ny rowing
hard and keeping the boat in the mid
/ die of the current, the three-quarters
| of a mile through the canyon is made
! with practically little danger, but
! should the helmsman lose his nerve.
1 grave consequences may ensue. The
! canyon is about so feet wide, With per-
pendicular walls, through which the
water rushes at the rate of 20 miles
an hour enough to dash to pieces the
craft that is carried against either
wall. The canyon is described as ex-
ceedingly picturesque, but those who
go through it have little time to con-
template the beauties of nature.
Once safely through the canyon thu
boat is made fast to the bank and al
hands turn to and portage the cargo
into the boat. only to make another
portage two and three quarters of q
! mile further down the river, whore the
! White Horse rapids are encountered
! Here the cargo is again unloaded, as al
[ the head of the canyon. and the boa
is taken through the rapids by pro-
fessional boatmen, while the travellers
make the portage around. The pilots
| charge $25 boat and the day Mr.. Hol'
/ lands party went through the pilots
took 50 ~)ats through the rapids, which
shows the enormous profits theil
! knowledge of the dangerous current
and the rush To the klondyke. ara
making the intrepid boatmen. A few
travellers not having the fee or anxious
TO save IT, attempt to shoot the rapids
themselves. and it was in cases Of thi:
kind that numerous fatalities We're re
| corded during the rush last fall
After passing the rapids. II is ..
miles to Lake Labarge, which is 8
miles long and a dangerous body %
water between two walls of mountains
down which the wind rushes at time;
with terrific velocity. If IL chances 4
be a head wind, the yoyagers mus
| go ashore and wait for the wind 4
change for there is no making head
way against il. and even at times whel
the wind is fair it is so strong that few
of the craft that are built to go 10 tn
Klondyke can live in the sea it ere
ates With judgment and care. how
ever. the lake is traysrsed without p.
pecial danger, and then comes IN
Lewis river proper and the terrors .
the journey if the dangers which con
front the careless much more than tn
careful are 70 be So termed. are passef
il Is POO miles Of practically Smootl
sailing down the Lewis river 10 wher
the Pelly puts i'm and the stream take
the name Of the Yukon. although it Ia
really been the on" stream since 1eay
ing Lake Labarce. From the Pell
70 Dawson city IN IL ig7 miles %