Page:The Selkirk mountains (1912).djvu/55

Rh Valley with its shining serpentine river, bordered by an endless array of snow peaks. No guides are necessary.

Time required 2½ or 3 hours. The crest, which is partly alp-land, and the amphitheatre between it and Mt. Avalanche are of much interest owing to the cirque formation, to the abundance and variety of alpine flora and to the numerous whistlers (Arctomys Columbianus) and Parry's marmots (Spermophilus Parryi) that abound here.

Avalanche Glacier—Name: By the Topographical Survey in relation to Mt. Avalanche.

Altitude: 7,000 feet—8,500 feet.

Location: Its neve is in the cirque on the east side of the Sir Donald Range and it is enclosed by ilt. Macdonald, Mt. Avalanche, Eagle and Uto Peaks, and drains to Beaver River.

Area: About 2 square miles. It is an interesting snowfield seen perfectly from any of the summits named.

Route: Reached most easily from lacier House by following the trail to Avalanche Basin and crossing the col between Eagle Peak and Mt. Avalanche.

Time required: 4 hours. For novices a guide is required.

Bagheera Mt.—Name: By the Topographical Survey (Bagheera, tiger), with reference to Cougar Brook.

Altitude: 9000 ft.

Location: The most westerly of the two highest peaks on the north side at the head of Cougar Brook Valley.

Route: Reached by the trail to the Caves of Cheops (Xakimu Caves) and thence up the valley.

Distance: From (Gacier House 8 or 9 miles to the summit.

Time required: It is best to take 2 days for the ascent, spending one night in the cabin at the caves.

First Ascent: By W. S. Jackson who wrote an account of it for the Canadian Alpine Journal (1907). He describes the fine specimens of red snow (see (Glossary) found half-way up the mountain. "Midway up were found beautiful waves of red snow, varying from pink on the crests to crimson in the troughs." The climb is rock with steep snow-slopes. Unless climbers are skilled mountaineers, one guide is necessary.

View: Beside the Valley of Mountain Creek and its several branches, the summit of Mt. Bagheera overlooks a vast array of peaks reaching northwards; also the divide between Cariboo Creek and the north branch of the Illecillewaet River and part of the Illecillewaet Valley itself. North and west twenty glaciers may be counted, notably three on the north branch especially large and interesting. Out of the centre of the nearest one rises a sharp pinnacle of rock, which is seen prominently from many points. It has been named "Fang Rock."

Bain Brook—Name: Probably after some prospector.

Location: A tributary to Incomappleux river (Fish Creek) from the west, joining it a short distance below Jeopardy Slide.

Bald Mt.—Name: Local, owing to smooth grassy slopes lying along its crest.

Altitude: 7,663 feet.

Location: On the east side of the Beaver River, opposite Mts.