The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-03-15


 the most important scientific expeditions of the year will start from Seattle on May 1, when a party of experienced mountain climbers and scientists. headed by Prof. Herschel C. Parker of Columbia univer- sty, will set out for the Alaskan wilder ness, where they will attempt to reach the summit of Mount McKinley-that de- liant ice-clad monster that has baffled the effort of scientists and explorers for the past decade
 The expedition will be conducted by the American Geographical society and the elaborate and novel arrangements ths, have been made should insure its success. All the experience gained in the many l.previous attempts to scale this rugged peak has been utilized in planning the forthcoming, assault and the men who will lead the expedition have had years of experience in the Alps and the Rockies. Professor Parker, who will lead the party, has already sealed four of the most difficult peaks in the Canadian Rockies, besides having clambered up and down the peaks of the Alps f,' years. In 1906 he accompanied Dr. Cook on the latters now famous expedition to Mount Mckinley, the experience gained on that expedition having proved inval- uable in outlining the details of the forth coming trip. Craze doubts haze always existed in Professor Parker's mind as to the truth of Cooks claim to having reached the summit. ard he intends to satisfy himself in regard to the matter on this trip.
 One of Professor Parker's chief lieu tens nts will be Belmore Browne, the artist, who was a member of the Parker Cook expedition, and who is also an ex- pert mountain climber J. H. Kunz of Stevens Institute, H. L. Tucker of the Appalachian club of Boston and Waide- mar Grassi of Columbia are other prom inent men of the party.
 One of the principal features of the forthcoming trip will be the use of the motorpoat as means of transportation. Pack horses will DC tabooed as Past ex- perience has taught that they are hii.- drapoe and the party will make their | way through the .50 miles of wilderness lto within striking distance of the base of the mountain by means of specially constructed motor boat. In the Cook I expedition of 1906 notorboat was used l but the party reached the headwaters | of the river too late in the season to attempt to climb the mountain. After they had returned to their camp. how | ever. Cook set out in company with two guides and returned with tale that he had reached the top
 | In outlining his plans for the forth coming expedition to representative or the international News Servica, Profes- sor Parker said:
 "The main party will leave Seattle about May l. and proceed direct to Cooks in- let. The easiest way to reach the base | of the mountain is from the south, and as soon as we reach the head of Cook | inlet we shall embark in motorboat anfs sail up the Sushitna river to the chulltna I and then up the later stream as far as II | is ravigable. Several large glaciers flow
 from Mount Mckinley toward the Gnu. l litna and the members of the party will | load the supplies on their backs and make l their way across the glaciers to a favor | able spot, where a base camp can be es- 1 tablished.
 "From the base camp we intend to de- | vote ourselves to complete and ex- | haustiye study of the mountain system l Mckinley and settle once for ali the ques- ton as to whether the summit can be
 reached viz the southern slope
 uIn our expedition of 1906 this route held out the greatest promise of success hut we first attempted to reach the base of the mountain from the west and failed Then by the time we had reached the basc from the south it was too late III l the season to proceed. From this polnt however, the approach of the mountain looked impenetrable. but the east aro northwest slopes held out more hope.
 .If. on our forthcoming trip, we Ial to discover a climbable ridge. 1t will DC nt cessary in future attempts in order 'e conquer this great peak, to make VII
 Ter can.oaisn. and reaeh the base or tne mountain by dog sleigh over the snow
 Since the year 1895, when W. A. Dickey l prospector, first sighted tnis SHOW
 capred peak, scientists and explorers have been untiring in their efforts v reach the summit in order to determin' it's correct height, which Is estii,ated al I a0.3e0 feet above the sea level The pecu I liar topographical conditions of the sur
 rounding country, however, have caused the failure of the majority of these II The mountain Is located in the center o
 the Alaska wilderness and explorins
 parties. desiring to reach the base, ar'
 con,pelled to travel at least 150 milt: through an almost impastabls country
 undergoing all 9rts of hardsnips nnt 4 many dAnger4 Tn cro!slHg the swolie' Streams and scaling tho ice-qlad slope of the uetohbqrinG helghu' BY tne uH