The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-06

Page and Co)
 When a great mountain was re-discov- cred in the unexplored district and christened in honor of our late President William Mckinley, preliminary investi- Ration proved this to be the high est peak in North America Hidden in the heart of Alaska, far from the sea, far from all lines of travel this newly erected Alpine rival pierced the frosty blue of the Arctic within reach of the midnight sun"
 The recognition of the pre-eminence of this peak together with it's fitting desig- nation framed a national mountaineering challenge which Dr. Frederick A. Cook and his party accepted. The mere effort of getting to the base of the mountain with sufficient supplies to prolong the seige required the exploration of thous- ands of miles of trackless wilderness. Unlike most other big mountains this giant peak Mckinley rises suddenly out of low country and the climb up It's sides begins over ice torn by crevasses and weighted down by sharp stones. Above the point where Dr. Cook and his party first started were 5000 feet of un- knowable troubles. Such an expedition involved most of the difficulties of Arctic travel and all of the hardships of high Alpine ascents multiplied many times.
 The exploration of the Alaska range or mountains in which is Mount Mckinley was not seriously attempted until the Klondyke stampede of 1897 indicated the mineral prospects of the adjoining ter ritory. With the surprising speed or the new gold rush, various government reconnaissance expeditions were oirected into this area of undiscovered country. At about the same time the gold dig gers pressed by the Susitna, and among them was Mr. W A. Dickey, who in -s~ | ah hrfG Mount Mckinley and guessed at it's alti- tude with surprising correctness as 20- GOO feet sketch of the mountain with notes was sent to the New York Sun" and the data thus falling into the hands of the noted geographer Cyrus c. Adams, were placed on record. Dr. Cook took a great deal of trouble to find out If this great mountain peak before It's name Mckinley was given 1t, had ever had an- other. But he was unable to trace a. name which had been previously used to designate this particular peak. The Rus sians applied the name "Bolshoy," mean ing big, to many high mountains and this name was given to the peak in ques- tion as well as companion peaks in the same group. Thus Bolshoy was the gen. eral name for the highest section of the Alaska range, therefore the new name Mckinley finds a proper setting to fitting monument as "a token of ap- preciation to the memory of one of our greatest statesmen"
 The task assumed by Dr. Cooks party of even getting to the base Of Mount Mo- Kinley was a prodigious venture which offered very man difficult obstacles to the transportation of men and supplies. The conqueror of Mount Mckinley was compelled to pick his path through forest and marsh to one of it's many glaciers and then begin the climb at 1000 feet or lower. The party ascended for miles over sharp stones and then up a slope of "seracs'' and "arates" around gloomy cloud-ribbed rocks up into most desper- ate cold-as cold as man is ever called upon to encounter. Months were spent in preparation to use the human energy of the Cooks party to the best advant- age and with the greatest economy. Dr. Cook claims that the ultimate success was due to the preliminary preparation. Incidentally Dr. Cook says that after many years of experiments he is now convinced that all the gastronomic needs are best supplied by pemmicon, biscuits and sugar; a few minor accessories might be added, he says, but the three articles mentioned are all that Is abso- lrtely necessary. For fuel wood was burn- ed below 5000 feet elevation. kerosene for the preliminary exploration among the foothills and alcohol for the higher camps.
 ITO the Top of the Continent is divided into two parts, with an introduction and four appendices. Part first treats of the expedition and failure of Dr. Cooks party to reach the top of Mt Mckinley in 1903, after two defeats. Part second gives an account of the expedition of 1906, when on the theory of if at first you don't suc- ceed, try, try again, Dr. Cook made an- other attempt backed by experience Of his failures in 1903 and in chapter IA we read of ITO the top. The world in white and the heavens in black"
 Appendices A and D, inclusive, cover sketch of Geology of Mt. Mckinley Re- gion," by Alfred H. Brooks; Biological Data and Specimens Collected by Charles Sheldon" descriptions by Wilfred IF. Osgood; 'The Cook Inlet Aboriginees," by Charles Sheldon. and Railway Routes in Alaska" by Alfred H. Brooks.
 In America there has recently grown up an appreciation of Alpine ascents. This is made clear by the vigorous growth of the Alpine, the Appalachian, the Ma zama, the Sierra and other mountain clubs in this country Mountaineering is too often put down simply as kind of daredevil sport of risky feats on cloud- piercing pinnacles, but in climbing there is said to be an inspiration expanding with the increase of vision which Is cap- able of much development Dr. Cook and others tell us that in the records of high ascents there is not only the glory of the pioneer spirit of conquest, but also data for scientific research. as well as fascinating studies in art.
 We are told that when primitive man climbed the nearest hills to get a better view of the animals he sought, the sport of climbing began. When he extended this climb to higher hills to note the lands beyond then the science of geography was born, but when he returned and con veyed to others not only the glory of his enlarged horizon, but the spirit of the out look. then the climbers art was estab- lished. The succeeding generations wan dered into new areas and expecting al- ways the end of the world just beyond the horizon have climbed mountains that they might see into the mysterious lands beyond Seeing no abrupt termination, men have moved on, have climbed other mountains, have looked farther over the globe until today there is the prospect of wireless telegraphy stations reaching from peak to peak, from pole to pole.
 "To the Top of the Continent is a very interesting and authoritative book.
 ..,The Last Voyage of the Donna Isabel"
 bv Randall Parrish GA. c. McClurg 6
 Co.)
 The writing of adventure upon the sea stories is quite departure for the author of When wilderness Was King" Beth Noryell." Bob Hampton of Placer" and other land tales. But in "The Last Voy- age of the Donna Isabel'' MT. Parrish has written thrilling sea story, filled with impossibilities. of course but what's the difference? All we want in an adventure