While these qualities are more or less common to every one, they are much developed in mountain camp life. But, perhaps, the ability to judge quickly and well is that characteristic which is most needed among the mountains, and the one which is attended by the most suffering if it is not brought into play. If the explorer or mountaineer decides on the time of day when he must turn back, and then, under the temptation of seeing a little more, or of reaching another summit, delays his return, let him not bewail his fate if he is caught by darkness in the forest and is compelled to pass a sleepless, hungry night. The laws of nature are inexorable, and while we obey them there is abundant opportunity of pleasure, but if we expose ourselves to the grinding of her vast machinery, one must suffer the consequence. The storm will not abate merely because we are exposed to it, nor will our strength be renewed merely because we are far from camp.
Let the camper surround himself with all the luxuries that are possible without trespassing on the bounds of reason. Let him have a good cook and a good packer; horses that are used to the trail; a fine camp outfit; comfortable blankets and good tents; a full supply of cooking utensils, knives, forks, and spoons; above all, let him take an abundant supply of provisions, comprising a large variety of dried fruits and the various cereals, and let each article be of the best quality.
Under such circumstances there is no risk of danger, no opportunity for discomfort, especially if every action is controlled by a moderate amount of judgment; but, on the other hand, the rich experiences among the mountains will prove a store of physical and mental resources, the memory of which will tempt him to revisit these regions year after year.
INDEX.
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] J [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] U [V] [W] X Y Z
A PAGE Abbott, Mount [130] Agnes, Lake [42] ” ” depth of [43] ” ” in winter [118] ” ” solitude of [42] Air circulation in Canadian Rockies [267] Alders in Selkirks [125] Alpine insects, varieties of [271] ” plants [271] American Fur Company [238] Anemones [107] Assiniboine, another name for Stoneys [53] Assiniboine, Mount, altitude of [177] ” ” features of [178] ” ” first circuit of [168] ” ” ” view of [153] ” ” outline [156] ” ” south side of [174] Astley, Mr [61] Athabasca Pass [244] Atmosphere, eastward movement of [123] Avalanche from Mount Lefroy [33]
B Balsam fir [38] Banff, altitude [11] ” climate [11], [15] ” location [1] ” population [2] ” Springs Hotel [3] ” surroundings [3] ” topography of [4] Barometer, diurnal minima of [113] Bean, Mr [72] Bear’s Paw, chief of Stoneys [49] Beehive, the [41], [44] ” altitude of [44] Blackiston, Lieut. [246] Blind valleys [172] Bourgeau, M. [246] Bow Lakes [201] ” ” future popularity of [211] ” Lake, Lower [191] ” ” Upper [195] ” River [2] British Columbia [253] Brown, Mount, altitude of [184] Bull-dog flies [25] Butterflies, habits of [72]
C Caledonia, New [238] Calypso borealis [143] Cambrian Age, reference to [42] Canada, highest point reached in [115] Canadian National Park [1] ” Pacific Road, cost of [255] ” Rockies, comparisons of [264] Cannibalism, anecdote of [242] Canoe River [240] Caribou mining region [256] Cascade Mountain, ascent of [14] ” ” description of [5] ” ” origin of name [6] Castilleias [107] Castle Crags [65] Cave and basin at Banff [159] Chalet at Lake Louise [22] ” old [26] Character, effect of camp life on [273] Cheops, Mount [130] Chiniquy, Tom [49] Chinook winds, cause of [266] Chipmunks [106] Cirque [77] Climate of Canadian Rockies [265] Cloud effects [29], [82] Coast Range [262] Condensation of clouds [267] Condition, physical [89] Continental watershed [18], [37] Contrast of surroundings [95] Cold weather in September [13] Colorado, altitude of mountains in [37] Color, sunset and sunrise [30] Columbia River [120] Columbine, yellow [19] Cook, Captain [230] ” ” explorations of [237] Cordilleran System [262] Coureurs des bois [221] Cox, Ross [240] Crees, Mountain [52] Crevasses, dangers of [203] Cross River [171]