New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-04
DIR. COOK AND MoUyT rKINLEY.

More regret than surprise Will be excited by
the news that DR. Cook did not reach the top
OF Mount Mckinley this year. He was well
qualified for the task by experience In arctic
and antarctic exploration and in other ways,
but the undertaking itself was one OF immense
difficulty. Not only is the peak which he sought
to scale the highest YET found in North Amer
lea. but il is hard 70 get at. Whether one ap-
preach il from the Yukon on the north or
Cooks Inlet on the south he must traverse a
wilderness for hundreds OF miles. Small boats
on navigable streams are more or less helpful
there. but il is necessary 10 take pack horses
and supplies Of food for service after water
transportation ceases 70 be available. Progress
thereafter is slower. Thus heavy tax on time
and human strength is imposed at the very
outset and before the ascent Of the mountain
itself really begins. The season IN which such
operations can be conducted IS short, and If
much time is consumed In prospecting when
the scene is reached the chance Of success is
small.
By Messrs. Brooks and Reaburn. Of the
United States Geological Survey. who studied
the country last summer. the opinion was ex-
pressed that The final attack should be made
from the northwestern base. Or. Cock tried
the western and southwestern slopes without
success and thus in measure obtained con-
firmation of that suggestion. To shift around
to the northwestern side at that juncture, how
ever. seemed unwise, because be would get
further and further from his homeward path
while doing so. on the other hand. By making
a quick push toward the Chulitna River he
would still have time to make hasty survey
Of the eastern slope before embarking for
Cooks Inlet. No satisfactory path was discov-
cred there. and no fresh attempt 10 scale the
mouutain was made. Nevertheless. the informa-
ton which has been acquired by this years
attempt cannot fail 10 he Of great value 10 Or.
Cook and others who may visit the region in
future with a similar purpose His expedition
should not be regarded a failure.
Another recommendation OF the government
biologists who explored Alaska In 1912 was that
a winter camp be established at the foot OF
Mount Mckinley by any one who meditated
such q campaign. Thus II would lie possible to
make an earlier start in the spring For the
first successful ascent this expedient may be
found necessary. a larger opportunity would
be afforded thereby for seeking out a new path
when one proved unavailable. II is by no
means certain that the northwestern side will
prove any easier than those already Inspected
If operations were begun from that point an
other year il might be necessary to make sew
eral changes of programme before the summit
was attained Hence the value Of taking plenty
Of time.
The news came from Dawson last July that
Judge Wickersham, Of the United States Dis
uict Court of Alaska. had Just returned from
an ascent" OF Mount Mckinley. 1t was rather
hastily inferred from that statement that some
one else had reached the top ahead of DR.. Cook.
Had such been the case. the earlier announce
ment would have been followed by details
leaving no room for doubt In the absence of
now TO assume that the Brooklyn explorer has
not been anticipated. The honor Of complete
victory may yet be his and he may be the first
TO win It