Page:The Selkirk mountains (1912).djvu/42

32 and Bald Mountain at its northerly extremity, is a similar tract of mountain country of surpassing interest but as yet little accessible owing to lack of trails or trails littered with fallen timber, and streams from which the bridges are gone. The same kind of country extends southward for miles, embracing many fine alpine features, such as Mt. Hammond and the peaks on Toby and Horse-Thief Creeks, which have become known on account of the camp held at the head of Toby Creek in 1909 by Earl Grey, Governor-General of Canada.

In the same section also, on September 2nd, E. W. Harnden of Boston, and C. D. Ellis of Wilmer, B.C., attempted the first ascent of Mt. Hammond. Owing to fatigue, Mr. Harnden gave out and Ellis pushed on alone and reached the summit. The start was made from Paradise Mine, at about 8,000 feet. According to Mr. Ellis' aneroid barometer Mt. Hammond has an altitude of 12,125 feet. Considerable doubt exists as to whether there is any peak of so great an elevation in this section of the Selkirks; and until more reliable and complete methods have been employed, the above altitude can only be accepted tentatively. This is the first notable climbing done in this interesting region.

Fritz, a hardy mountaineer.