East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1913-03-25
ALPINE CLUB is
STARTED BY WOMEN

Here is unique organization start
ed by women, but which may be de-
stined to become subject to the ma
jority rule of men-unless the ath-
letic young ladies of the nation wake
up to the occasion and break through
the ranks of the "See America
First" tourist line extending to the
Roof of the Continent in Glacier Ma
tional Park.
The American Alpine Club was or
iginated in a spirit of curiosity by
three tourists who last summer climb
ed the SUBMITS on the Roof of the
Rockies in Glacier Park to get Birds
eye kodak views Of the Switzerland Of
America.
The wonderful stories they had
heard of the Indian legends attached
to these mountains led this trip Of
school teacher-vacationers on to the
heights where incidentally, they also
were rewarded by first hand lessons
in geography and geology which they
carried back home with them for
their pupils in the public schools.
The "exploring expedition" which
led to the formation of the unique
organization, having its inception in
woman's curiosity was carried out
largely as the result of a dare.
This party of school teachers. so
charmed by the picturesque and ro-
mantle aspect of the Swiss chalet viii
lege nestled in the pines upon the
shore of beautiful Lake st. Mary's.
had decided to change their itinerary
and spend an extra day there. They
had become acquainted with Dawn
Mist, a beautiful Indian maiden who
was born in that region. The Indian
legendary stories Of the surrounding
mountains E! fascinated the school
teachers and they expressed the wish
that they could climb the SUBMITS
and view at closer range the spots
held so sacred by the red men. Dawn
Mist, in her simple way, said they
might easily do so and she volunteer
ed to guide the way.
Feminine hearts fluttered at the
prospect OF such thrilling experience.
There was a dare and that settled it.
Next morning the fair party Of
mountain climbers started.
The pale face women followed the
Indian girl up the winding trail to
Flat Top mountain. Rifting clouds
cleared away as If to reveal the Won
ders below for their special benefit
and, from the great elevation the wo-
men gazed down in bewilderment up
on the pond like surface of ST. Mary's
lake, which they knew to be ten miles
long. It now looked only about one
mile in length to them.
The amazing comparison Of height
and distance made the blood of these
spectators tingle.
This initial trip above the clouds
only served to whet the appetite of
the fair adventures and before they
finished touring the park these wo-
men climbed seven SUBMITS and be-
held the colossal beauty of marvel
land, only as it is revealed from the
top of the Rockies.
The story of the mountain climb
ing of these frail women spread rap
idly in the Swiss Chalet villages scat
tered through the park with the re-
suit that other tourists, many of them
men OF course, followed suit and seal
ed the SUBMITS in order to get the
much heralded views of scenic
grandeur" presented to the vision
only from these points of vantage in
Natures Mammoth Amphitheater.
So now the American Alphine club
has had artistically designed buttons
made for distribution among Glacier
National Park tourists according to
their various mountain climbing
achievements. Consequently great ri
valry is anticipated in Uncle Sans
playground this year.