Page:Canadian Alpine Journal I, 1.djvu/187

122 In an amazingly short time a descent of hundreds of feet had been made, until, finally, the bottom of the cliffs were reached. Then I started across and down that long, tedious slope of snow and boulders. The weary slope at last was ended, and I reached the rock-work, where someone had been prospecting for copper just above the fossil bed. Here I carefully felt the way down in the darkness, guided only by the light of the half-obscured stars, found my fossils and rejoiced because home was near. The lights of Field twinkled far below.

With a load of fifty pounds or more in weight, weary, hungry, and thirsty, I found the trail at the foot of the fossil bed, when the going was easier. Then, at last, I came to the brook, and drank deeply of its cold, sparkling waters. On again through the midnight darkness of the woods, where the air was warm and balmy, until the welcome lights of Field came into view. I arrived safely at eight p.m., having enjoyed in twelve hours that which will take more than a long lifetime to forget.

So far as we are aware only four climbs, other than Mr. Kinney's, have been made of Mt. Stephen without the aid of Swiss guides, viz.: the two ascents, by the Government Topographer, J. J. McArthur and his assistant, T. Riley, in 1887 and 1892; an ascent by Abbot, Fay, Field and Thompson in 1895; and an ascent by A. O. Wheeler's party in 1904. Never before or since has the climb been made by one man alone, and at a time of the year when the conditions are such as to be almost prohibitive. For this reason, if no other, the feat is remarkable.

The mountain has now become the stock climb from Mt. Stephen House, the Canadian Pacific Railway Company's tourist hotel at Field, B.C. When making it, one, and often two Swiss guides are employed. The magnificent view from the summit more than repays the exertions of the climb.