New-York tribune., 1902-10-27
NORTHERNMOST ALASKA.
Reconnaissance OF THE REGION BEYOND
THE YUKON

Washington. oct 2s CspeciaD.-The results
Of a reconnaissance by a government party undeF
Walter c. Mendenhall. Of the United States Geo
logical Survey. form important addition TO 'he
knowledge Of the geography and resources OF
Alaska north Of the Yukon.
This reconnaissance. says Mr.. MendenhaI' was
carried out in pursuance of plan which has neeh
followed fol sO4le years by the survey IN the topo-
graphic and geologic exploration Of the httle
known parts OF Alaska. and in the collection OF
such information Will be OF value not only 10
the scientific world. but to the prospector' the
miner and the trader. Lives are being eontin-
ually lost because the location and character OF
trails. drainage ways mountain ranges and passes
unknown. or because the knowledge which q
few possess is not in form available Ior the Use
of others. Capital disappears, an1 years are
wasted by prospectors who push out beyond the
frontier and pursue their search for gold where
gold does not exist.
Gradually the great waterways and mountain
systems are being mapped and reliable information
IS being gathered concerning the distribution OF
timber. the numbers and character Of the native
inhabitants. and the presence or absence Of game
all matters o: vital interest 10 the traveller VINO
whatever his object, ventures away from 'he
great central waterway of the Yukon or from the
fur trading stations other streams.
The most important physical feature OF that part
Of Alaska lying north Of the Yukon IS a great
mountain range the Endicott Mountains, from
1900 to 700 feet high. extending from the Arcuc
Coast Just north Of Kotzebue Sound eastward
beyond
boundary between the Porcupne River and me
Arctic Ocean. North OF this range the cold, arctic
storms may be expected at any time throughout
the year; south Of il the summers hot and
bright. though short. North of the range the
country is timberess: south of il trees are more
or less abundant throughout the river valleys
The Endicott Mountains form a general divide
between the Arctic drama ge proper and the rivers
flowing into Behring Sea and Kotzebue Sound,
the largest Of which is the KoyLkuk. about 200
miles long
After discussing the local geography and the
geology. and noting that the country between the
Yukon and Koyukuk is free from all evidences OF
glacial action. the report takes up briefly the
economic geology Of the region. An eleven-foot
bed Of Ignite coal is found on Coal Greek. about
one mile above its entrance into the Dali River.
OF which four five feet apparently OF good
quality. The outcrops OF lignites along the banks
of the Kobuk from six inches 70 three feet
ia thickness, and are probably valueless econom-
ically. The reports Of the occurrence of coal
elsewhere in the region vet unconrrmed
Prospecting for gold the Dali. the Allen, the
Noatak, and the KObuk rivers has so far failed 70
develop any deposits Of value. Some $500 OF
gold was taken out of the Kotzebue Sound district
In the late summer of 1901 but another season.
work Will be REQUIRED 10 give any proper Idea OF
the richness Of the Candle Greek district ,.
Al the mouth or the Dan River IS a setIieihent
ot hukon % nnGisns who are prone 10 fsas GGSe b 20
are in need Of S,lnnIies on The KanIiti River is
similar fishing settlement Of perhaps seventy-hye
with the traders or work for the koyukuk miners.
Much the most enterprsing and reliable Of the
native people encountered are the Esqumaus or the
KObuk valley, some 2o0 in number in 1901 who
proved themselves efficient laborers and seem IN
tellgent ana initiative and anxious to learn Eng
lsh and civilized ways.
Winter tenpera ture of 60 degrees 70 degrees
below zero are reached for few days at time
IN this interior region adjacent TO the Arctic Cir
Gle but during these severely cold periods II is
usually perfectly calm. The more dangerous times
those OF higher temperature and wind. AT
such times men cannot face the gales and live.
The summers short. but warm enough to be
pleasant, the months from the middle OF June 10
the middle Of September being available for travel
by the waterways or for prospecting. The mos
Qutos and the gnats well nigh intoleTabls
nuisanCes during the summer.
Salmon the main food OF the natives living
the KOyukuk and the hobuk before the arrival
of the traders with their stores. Waterfowl are
plentiful along all Of the streams since they breed
In great numbers in the lakes and ponds OF the
tundra Geese. ducks and ptarmigan are numer-
GUS
Caribou are found IN the region about the head
OF kanut River; a few mountain sheep in the
higher country; black bear distributed through
out the district; moose are rare, being found
chiefly toward the south and east in the Yukon
drainage basin. smaller animals are plentiful IN
certain localities
Spruces cottonWoods. brches and willows are
generally found at the lower levels throughout the
district traverSed the southern and eastern shores
Of KotZebu5 Sound excepted; but the trees are
usually small Grasses sufficient for food for pack
animals grow far north the party went.
Red currants and cranberries found billberries
are widely distributed. and salmonberries grow on
the tundra everywhere; hardy and snowy flowers
are abundant during the short summer season.