New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-04

Raphael P,mpeiiy. Who believe, in 1883. with
small party which included the late w. A.
Stiles. crossed from the Flathead country 70
the plains by way OF the Marias. or. as II Is now
called the Cut Bank Pass. This great mass Oh
ice which Is seen by every traveller going
through the Cut Bank Pass rises to the height
Cliff. over which portions OF the glacier are
constantly falling with tremendous reports.
which are heard for long distance
From the top OF the Blackfoot Mountain the
whole country leading up to the Cut Bank Pass
can be seen, and Immediately below it to the
southeast lies the Pumpelly glacier readily
identified not only from its position with relation
to the valley but also by the peaks and rocks
in its DeighborhOOd 1t thus appears that the
Pumpey glacier. as have long supposed was
the case. is part OF the southern flow OF the
great cecap which covers almost the whole OF
the Blackfoot Mountain The Blackfoot glacier,
which stretches away In northeasterly drec-
ton from the peak OF the Blackfoot Mountain,
though perhaps varying In extent somewhat
with the season, was estimated last July to DE
six or seven miles long, and in some places be-
tween three and four miles wide. From the
peak Of the Blackfoot Mountain the icefield
flows also in a northerly direction, meeting an
other which down between Mount kainah
and Mount Jackson, while from Mount Jackson
a number Of smaller glaciers flow down to tim
Der line.
little to the west Of south Of the Blackfoot
Mountain and lying in a great bend OF Mud
Creek-tributary Of the Flathead-which entire
y cuts ii off from the main range, lies Mount
james. one OF the three highest peaks in this
immediate section. Seen from the east, 1t is
shaped like the square faced. peaked end OF
haystack and a distance appears very diff
cult or impossible OF ascent. Its southern and
western faces may be more practicable than
those the north and east appear. From the
top Of the Blackfoot Mountain the level shows
Mount Jackson TO be the highest Of all these
mountains; Mount James the next. while Black
foot il the third. But the differences in height
very slight
A few miles northwest Of Mount Jackson and
lying on the west side of the range is little
basin named Avalanche Basin by l.. Il. Sperry.
of Obcriin. Ohio and on the mountains over
looking this. Mr.. Spcrry tells us, are extensive
snowfclds and glacier. From the summit OF
Blacllfoot Mountain it appears that this Ava
lanche Basin lies nearly south of Mount Piegan
of my map, and outhwest Of Mount Reynolds.
understand that Mr.. Sperry who was, OK
course, unaware that the mountain had been
earlier named has called Mount Reynolds Lat
terhorn. from the slender-as seen from tina
sOuthwcst-flngCr of rock which forms its peak.
Mount Reynolds is in the Continental Divide
although most Of the recent maps wrongly plaza
it east Of the Divide.
IL the locations Of the Pumpelly glacier and
Of Avalanche Basin with regard to definite and
Well-knOWn points in the Continental Divide are
thus established the matter is one of some in
tercst TO students Of this section Of the northern
Rocky Mountains. since hitherto. far
am aware, the relations OF the east and west
sides Of the range have not been known between
the head If Belly River and the Cut Bank Pass
Lying nearly to the south Of Mount Jackson.
and between il and the BlackfOOt Mountain. Is a
deep basin which is the head Of Harrison Creek.
flowing down toward the Flathead Lake. This
basin. which have called Pinchots Basin. Is
occupied by a large glacier. which is fed by
many smaller ones flowing down the steep sida
of Mounts Jackson. kainah and BlackfOot
What the extent OF this glacier may be do
not know. but lying in this deep basin. and al
most completely surrounded by high mountains.
the area of the moving ice must be very con-
Siderable