Seward daily gateway., 1923-08-04
MI. KATMA| PARTY
 HAS SUCCESSFUL !.
 TRIP ID VOLCANO
EVERY MEMBER SUCCEEDS IN GETTING TO CRATER AND
 INTO VALLEY

The steamer Starr, arriving at 9:OO o'clock Thursday evening brought back from the Hot Place in Alaska" the Folsom party which left Seward the morning of July Is, as the first real excursion into this most inter esting and wonderful volcanic region of all the world and all history. Ev- cry member of this party, the names Of which are given below, succeeded in getting to the crater of Katmai and through Katmai Pass into the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, where the unique opportunity was enjoyed of cooking all food in fumeroles and in the hot ground in front of the camp tents as we'll as sleeping on the warm ground.
 The usual difficulties were encoun- tered, such as crossing tide flats, drainage ditches, boulder fields and swift running streams, not to mention coming out through Katmai Pass 12 miles in a dense fog, and very few drizzling rainy days in camp. Most of the fifteen days spent in the region were partially clear, dry at least, and a most perfect day was chosen for the ascent to Katmai crater, and another, equally as perfect, was spent in see ing the sights of the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.
 Only one bear was seen in the vol canic region but that was an unusu- ally large one, and those who were not accustomed to such encounters, made tracks as fast in one direction as the brownie" did in the other.
 Not many changes of importance were noted, although to one who has been over the region several times before, MT. Folsom states, there are many notifications in contour detail and some of interest in evidences of development of plant and animal life.
 The lake in the crater of Katmai covers less area than formerly and there has developed near the east end a mud geyser which is throwing mud and water into the air more than two hundred feet.
 Mosquitoes are Troublesome
 For instance, mosquitoes were more troublesome in the Valley of Smokes ! than they were at base camp near the beach where plant life is more vigor- ous than ever. No mosquitoes were in the valley as late as 1919 Plants, | which started out vigorously in the ash and pumice are struggling in a dwarfed and starved condition.
 On account of the difficulty of land ing in Katmai Bay, MT. Folsom, who has been with all the National Geo. graphic Society's expeditions in the discovery and exploration of this re- zion, and who is conducting the ex- cursion in cooperation with the Tray el Service Bureau of Los Angeles, is very emphatic in his statement that such an excursion is too great a haz- ard for any who are not familiar with all the conditions. He also states he will give some earnest effort to the development of a trail into the re- zion from Geographic Harbor, the only safe and feasible approach for mixed parties of excursionists.
 Party Are Game Bunch of Good Sports
 Only words of compliment and com mendation are expressed by Mr. Fol som with reference to his party of ambitious tourists, who he says, are "a game bunch of good sports" not withstanding the fact that it is always difficult to get together party of that size in which all will maintain the sporting spirit under strain. It is no place for "mollycoddle" or for those who cannot see all the time something to do to contribute to the common ef- fort to overcome the common obsta- cles. The plush cushion tourist had better stay by his plush cushion.
 Words of gratitude are given Capt. Johansen and all officers and crew of the Starr for the way in which they landed and picked up such an unusual party in such an unusual and out-of- the-way corner of the world.
 Personnel of Party
 The members of the party making up this first organized excursion into the Hot Place in Alaska" or Katmai
 (Continued on Page Eight)