New-York tribune., 1903-01-09
CONQUEST OF MOUNT MKINLET.

In the latest issue of The National Geo
graphic Magazine Alfred II. Brooks and .. L.
Reaburn, of the United States Geological Sur
yey, outline three plans for reaching the top Of
Mount Mckinley, the loftiest summit in North
America. These men were in Alaska last sum-
mer and conducted a reconnaissance survey
northward from the Pacific to the Yukon, past
the range to which this yet unmastered dome
belongs One route which they regard feasible
starts from Cooks Inlet. more than $50 miles to
the south of Mount Mckinley IN an air line, but
involving a toilsome and circuitous march of
100 miles. inasmuch as the final attack should
be made from the northwestern base of the
mountain. Another path would lie through
Skagway and Dawson, down the Yukon into
Alaska TO Il point about due north of the obiec-
tive point then up tributary Of the Yukon,
the Tanana, whence there would be more or
less overland work with horses. If either of
these programmes is undertaken early as Is
practicable in the spring summer the top of
Mount Mckinley would not be reached before
the latter part of July. The prevalence Of fogS
on slope and summit in summer and the
haustion resulting from the difficulties of the ap-
proach. are such serious drawbacks to these
plans that another one is recommended. N1essrs.
Brooks and Reaburn favor starting the year be-
fore entering the Yukon by its mouth estab-
KinIey, and carrying out the last stage of the
work the following spring.
The ascent Of Mount Mckinley may prove
more difficult than some similar feats already
Oh record, but it is only question of time when
it will be performed. Humboldt and Whymper
went nearly as high when they climbed Chin
borazo. whose elevation is variously estimated
at 1900 or 10000 feet above sea level Nc
Kinley is thought to be trife over 10000 feet
high although it has not been possible TO get
satisfactory measurements. Sir Martin Con-
way managed TO reach altitude of 900 in
India, while Aconcagua, to whose top Zurbrig
gen ascended three or four years ago, can
scarcely be less than 23. 600 or 24,000 feet above
the sea. Everest. Dapsang and a score of other
peaks still defy the bodest and most skilful
climbers. but their turn will come. Now, it is a
natural national pride which inspires the wish
that when a human foot first stands the
Ioftiest peak in North America that foot shall
be I'D Americans not 4 foreigners. The size
and cost of such expedition as Messrs.
Brooks and Reaburn favor, from seven to ten
members and between $4,000 and $25, 900 will
serve rs discouragements for time but they
are not insuperable obstacles If the venture is
not undertaken soon by individuals or under
government auspices here. some daring Euro
pean-perhaps the Duke of the Abruzz, who
has already been on Mount st. Elias-will
tainIy carry eff the honors.
Although the methods which the great noun
tain climbers of the world have hitherto fol
lowed would probably be effective in well
arranged undertaking of this kind. distinct
Improvement upon them is looming up in the
future. Possibly it is not four or five
years off to-day. One of the chief uses of fly
ing machines will be geographical achievements
that have hitherto batf1ed daring explorers It
is highly probable that devices superior to any
hitherto seen will be known before the st. Louis
Exposition Of next year is over. But even with
an airship like that with which Santos Dumont
made his journey around the Eiffel T wer il
might be feasible TO reach the summit of Mount
Mckinley in much less than an hour from the
northwestern base The horizontal distance TO
he traversed is only ten miles. Indeed with
better craft it might be feasible to start from
Cooks Inlet. on the Pacific Coast. and reach the
summit in five six hours. Still. it would be
much wiser to adopt a nearer base Of opera
tions. 1t would then he possible to make one
or more daily trips 10 and from the top for
week. and to secure Il variety of scientific data
as well as photographs in a short period of
time. Only aeronauts and mountaineers who
can stand the rarefied atmosphere found at the
height of 10000 or 21.OOO feet should embark
in the enterprise. Some preliminary practice in
this style of navigation would be expedient not
10 say necessary The chief trouble though
would be to transport the machine and suitable
fuel for its engine TO eligible spot near the
easy.