The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28

n T o white man has ever set Ioot
~ upon the apex of the North
American continent. That high
Y point is the crater of an active
= volcano, the biggest on our con-
tinent. and it all belongs to I'm
ole Sam. There is a point in Alaska
where primeval nature, gathering To-
gether all of its titanic energies, plled
mountains one upon another, In cnaotlc
masses, surmounting the whole with
giant volcano, robed in snow from oase
TO summit and from whose ice-rimmed
nostriIs now issue seething flames,
springing from an inferno beneath.
Mount Wrangeu is the name applied
to the volcano. 1t was so named py the
early Russians in honor OF Baron
Wrangell, at the time Governor or the
territory by appointment OF the car
1t is not a matter of record as 10
whether or not the Baron ever caught
a glimpse of his towering namesake,
although the flaming summit can be
seen for a hundred miles across the
tempest-tossed region. 1t is known
however, that up to the present cay no
white man has ever assembled the peak
or even placed foot upon its base. II
remains for some daring explorer VINO
is willing to take his life in his hands
to push boldly over the enclrclng
mountain ridges and attempt the as
cent. Should he succeed, ne Will &C
complish a notable mountaineering
feat and will, no doubt, be able to ada
much to geographical knowledge.
The Mount Wrangell region is to-day
ono of the few on the North American
continent that has defied intrusion 10
add to its specific interest, the natlVe
inhabitants Of Central Alaska fear TO
annroach the locality, having, for some
reason, a mysterious dread Oh IRE
mountain as they term it,
There is not an Indian to be found
within fifty miles of Mount Wrangell
Not one will approach it any closer.
More interesting still is the TACT that
Indian tradition, or more properly
speaking, wandering reports, state that
in the secluded region around Mount
WrangelI gigantic animals with curved
white tusks roam through the dark
forests. Every Indian will tell you TINS
story and warn you away from the 10
cality, saying that 1t is no GOOD ana
that you will surely perish If you at
tempt to enter.
IT should be stated here that Mount
Wrangell is located near the head OF
Copper River, from which point or
vantage 1t can be. seen about forty
miles to the eaSIWdIu, IlSlAi6 uP bS1iAN
successive ridges of lofty mountains.
Apparently it is not practicable TO ap-
proach the volcano from this direction.
During the present summer hundreds
of gold seekers pushing up the Copper
River have, no doubt, sighted the peak
and have narveied at it's altitude. Still,
A. seems highly improbable that any
one of them has had the temerity to
atternpt to cross the intervening noun
tains and try to make an ascent with
ont ice axes and other proper climbing
enuipment The scaling of the Matter
horn in Europe is undoubtedly an easier
undertaking than the scaling of Mount
Wrangell.
According to reports coming from
Conner River, most of the prospectors
are turning back, disheartened and dis
couraged with the prospect before them,
and but few have perSevered and push
ed on toward the headwaters. 1t is the
fair presumption that these men will
suffer great hardships and will be lucky
If thew escape starvation, as the re-
oion supplies no food In the summer
months. I speak from personal knowl-
edge Should these adyenturers sue
coed. however in pressing on, they will
f1nd the only practicable route through
the mountains to lie in the direction of
the Tanana River, by way Of the Lake
Mentasta or the Lake SusIota passes.
These courses will take them to the
westward of Mount Wrangell. Should
some of them double back from the
Tenana. following a southeaSterly
course. then it may be possible for them
to reach the great volcano, as that is
the only apparent avenue for success