Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-24

tain climbers long ago; but within q few
years the more difficult elevations in this
country. such as Mt. Hood. Mt. Rainier,
Mt. Baker Mt. st. Helens, ETC., the mon
archs Of the Cascade range were more in
accessible because Of poor railroad facili-
ties In the Pacific northwest than the AL
pine heights Of Europe.
The completion OF the Northern Pacific
and the Great Northern lines, however, the
gradual setting up Of the states of Wash
tngton and Oregon. and the growing rean-
cation Of tourists that Uncle Sam has
snow-topped mountain wonders Of his own
that are well worth seeing, have brought
about change Today there are several
American mountain climbing organizations,
every year our peaks are fssayed by some
Of the most famous climbers across seas.
and. little by little. the old world Is learn
Ing to respect the mountains OF the big
western republic, as we'll as some otiiel'
things which have long been the talk Of ali
mankind.
Early American Alpine Clubs.
The Washington State Alpine Club is one
Of the oldest Notwithstanding organiza-
lions OF the country. and 1t was its then
secretary. Mr. Fred C. Plummer, think.
who in 1893 first gave to the world some
notion of the wonderful glacier system of
Mt. Rainier
1t was received with much surprise. not
dozen people in the United States, at
that it is good deal more than four times
extensive as the celebrated glacier sys-
tenn of Mt Blanc, in Switzerland. Even
now the public has hardly awakened to this
interesting fact, yet 1t Is quite true. and
those who have explored both say that
Rainier's glaciers do not suffer by compari-
son. scenicaIly, with Mt. Blanc's. With
reference to the relative size Of the two
systems 1t may be stated that the cele-
brated Mer de Glace of Mt. Blanc, the larg-
est in the system, covers considerably less
than half as much territory as the Carbon
glacier of Mt. Rainier. which Is by no
means the most extensive of the system.
1t Is rather interesting thing that while
RainieTs glaciers radiate from the noun
tain in all directions. all their vast drain
age goes westward to the Columbia river
and Puget Sound. through the four rivers,
White, Puyallup, Nisqually and Cowlitz
The project to utilize the waters OF these
glaciers before they reach the rivers for
the creation of electrical power Is one OF
the most important things IN all the history
OF the great Pacific northwest.
The Mazamas Society.
= Much has been added to our knowledge
of the score or more ice and snow In
crusted peaks Of Oregon and Washington by
the Mazamas Society. formed on the sum-
NIT of Mt. Hood in 1894.
The society's ascent of Mt. Rainier-the
highest peak, with measurement Of 1862
feetln 1897, was one OF their first great
exploits. Sixty-two persons were In the
party. The task requires two DAYS. even
from Paradise Park. itself some thousands
of feet above sea level, and though the
out with all the appliances for safety that
are used in the Alps. there were two or
three very narrow escapes from accident
and one man was killed.
1t takes the first day to 60 to Camp Muir,
a burruw in the rocks amid the ice. some
distance above the timber line-0, eco feet