Page:Canadian Alpine Journal I, 1.djvu/73

48 peak closing the view at either end, stirred every heart and led to an exaltation of spirit and buoyancy of life that never left us. Most of the campers were first trampers over this bit of road, a few following in the comfortable carriages or perched aloft on the commisariat wagons. Striking to a degree were the costumes worn by the mountain invaders, and while not so stylish as an Easter day parade at Atlantic City, there was more variety; yes, one may safely assert, infinitely more variety.

So we were really off at last! The months of anticipation had ended, the days of realizing delight had come as we trudged off the first few miles. Why an Alpine camp? may be asked. A clause of the Constitution reads, and when a Constitution speaks let all listen: "A summer camp in some suitable part of the mountain regions shall be organized in each year for the purpose of ennabling graduating members to qualify for active membership, and the members generally to meet together for study in the alpine districts of Canada."

It was no small task to plan such a camp, to be placed on a summit 6000 feet above the sea, and at a distance of nearly a score of miles from the nearest railway station. It was an even greater task to provide at such an inaccessible spot for a hundred people and to carry thereto on pack ponies the thirty or forty tents, with necessary equipment and provisions. The Club, moreover, was at the time only four months old, having been organized in Winnipeg in the previous March. Never before had a camp on such a large scale been attempted, especially by such a youthful organization. The project was, therefore, a somewhat daring one and was made possible of successful achievement by a strong union of forces on the part of governments, railway companies and individuals. This unity of action was brought into play