New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-24
IN CANADIAN ROCKIES.
Fine Opportunities for Mountain
Climbers TO Display Skill.

Bann. Alberta. April 20 (SpeciaD.-"If all the
mountain climbers in the world to-day to
make a combined attempt to explore the Cana
dian Rockies their task would not be completed
within a century
This is the way in which Edward whymper
the EngIishman who taught the Swiss how TO
climb their own Alps. sums up the mountain
climbing possibilities Of the district Of which
Banf IS a centre. Il seems an exaggerated
statement. but this man. who has grown old
trying 20 attain the Inaccessible on every CONT
nent made Il in all seriousness after spending
summer climbing about the Rockies.
There VIII be vastly more mountain climbing
81 Western Canada this year than ever before,
Il al the persons who have written in advance
for guides and pack animals carry out their
plans. Several large parties OF Americans will
start from Banff in a few months in different
directions determined to reach the top OF sew
eral peaks that have never before been scaled
A large party from Boston. New-York and
philadelphia has arranged to start from Golden,
British Columbia. and travel by canoe and
mountain trail through Alberta and British CO.
lumbia TO the coast. They viii pass through
Ereat deal OF country where tourists have never
been, md some that even the guides have only
partially explored.
A few weeks viii see the beginning OF the
mountain climbing season. Already the Swiss
guides which the Canadian Pacific Railway Com
pany has stationed at various points IN the
mountain district are beginning 10 go over the
trails Each winter brings more or less changes
tn the Rockies. There are great rock slides
which sweep away trails, and the glaciers de-
velop new and dangerous crevices. These are
carefully sought out before the fastener ar
riyos and safe ways around the danger points
laid out.
The Canadian Rockies offer an Incompatible
challenge to the mountaineer. From the inter-
national boundary there stretches noTthward q
treble line Of peaks. many Of them reaching an
altitude Of 10000 feet, and few rising as high
as l5.O00
There are higher peaks in other parts OF the
world. but. every mountain climber knows
st is not the mere altitude Of a peak which con-
stitutes its chief charm. For instance, the
Matterhorn. which has long been the envy OF
mountain climbers. is by no means the most
lofty IN the Alps. Mount Rainier. in the State
OF Washington, is higher, but the ascent is so
easy that having climbed it is little distinction
The chief JOY Of a mountain climbers am
bition is TO make q first ascent The mountains
Of Europe have for the most part been con-
Quered. and there is little left FOR the younger
generation OF climbers, though they are Just as
eager as their fathers We're to be the first to
gain a mountain summit. In the Canadian
Rockies il IS different There are no end OF
s. safe TO say that any mountain climber OF
moderate sKl!I could start from BanT and In two
weeks time make a couple Of first ascents''
A year or so ago the Alpine Club, Of London,
ISSUED a report. ga which It lamented the signs
OF exhaustion which were beginning 20 show in
the field for mountaineers. A member OF the
club who had just returned from a summer IN
the Canadian mountains protested in this
fashion:
Take the view from Calgary OF mountains
stretching north and south as Tar as the eye
can see. countless "a number. nearly all IN
known ana unnamed. This great array is only
the fringe and e small part OF The border Of the
general mass Cf mountains BY shifting ones
position eighty or ninety miles 10 the west
Is permitted TO gaze from one OF the higher
points OF the Great Divide. There is no evil
oence here that the field Tor moUntaineers Is he
ginning 10 show signs Of exhaustion. Ia every
direction. extending beyond the range Of tele-
Ecopic vision one Is surrounded by ocean Of
peaks. apparently endless. which suggest the