The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-19
THE OPENING OF ALASKA
Work of Exploration Parties of the
United States Geological
Survey.

Washington, Dec. 19.-Alaska is being
rapidly opened up by exploration parties
of the United States geological survey
This work has been in progress since 1898,
have penetrated the interior Of the ter
ritory and explored much of the region
hitherto unknown.
Last summer five parties were in the
field. Two Of them spent their entire
time in the rich mineral districts known
as the Copper River Basin in south CEN
trail Alaska, through which it has been
proposed to build a railroad from Valdes
to the Yukon river, to avoid the necessity
of crossing Canadian territory in reach
ing the interior.
One of these parties, under F. c.
Schrader geologist, and D. c. Wither-
spoon. topographer. mapped the upper
Copper River basin and adjacent portions
of the Tanana River basin. BY this
means the previous surveys of the Tanana
river and those Of the Copper river were
Joined, special attention being given to the
upper copper belt.
The second party. under T. C. Gerdine
topographer, and w. c.. Mendenhall, ge-
ologist. was engaged in mapping the
Chistochina gold fields and in studying
the southern copper belt. The outfit and
provisions of the two parties were shipped
north In the latter part Of February and
transported across the Coast Range by Mr..
Wltherspoon. Through the efforts of
these. parties considerable additional
knowledge was gained regarding the &C.
currence of copper north and south of the
Wrangell group, and important geographic
data were collected concerning the rugged
and little known WrangelL mountains
The third party, under Alfred H. Brooks,
geologist, who, Is in general charge of the
Alaskan geologic work of the geological
survey, and D. L. Reaburn, topographer.
with party OF five assistants and camp
hands and twenty horses, started from the
head of Cooks Inlet and proceeding in a
northerly direction, reached the Tanana
river. The first part of their trip was
through heavy forests and across swollen
streams, notably the Skwentna river,
which was crossed with great difficulty:
the southwestern part Of the Alaskan
range was then crossed and the slopes of
Mount Mckinley, its highest peak and the
most lofty elevation on the continent over
10000 feet. were visited. The route then
turned to the northeast, along the front
or this entire range, when progress was
easier. over Slightly rolling plateau and
the Ianana river was reached in safety.
From this point the little known country
TO rampant city, on the Yukon, was
crossed and the descent of the latter riv-
er was made by steamer. The route over
which the members of the party made
their, way on foot was about 500 miles in
length.
A fourth party, under A. J. Collier, as
sistant geologist, was engaged in the
study Of the coal resources of the entire
Yukon valley in United States territory
adjacent to the river This party also
visited some Of the placer camps which
had not before been investigated. It's
work included the study of the geologic
relations of the region particularly in
teresting to scientists. and closely related
to the development Of the mineral re-
sources.
The fifth party, in charge of J. w.
Peters. topographer, was engaged in the
mapping Of the extreme southeastern
parts Of the territory. in the neighborhood
of Juneau, which, owing to its rich min
eral resources. is Of great economic i'm
portance.
In the face of considerable hardships
the work of the summer was carried out
substantially as planned without serious
loss or accident. Hitherto, in Alaskan
work. energies have been particularly de-
voted to the exploration of its unknown
regions, but during the last year 1t was
possible for the first time to accomplish a
large amount Of valuable geologic and