Page:Canadian Alpine Journal I, 2.djvu/207

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Alpine Notes
315

been proved to be greatly exaggerated, it has the distinction of being the highest known peak in the Canadian Rockies.

"It is interesting to note that in a paper read before the Royal Society of Canada by Dr. G. M. Dawson, the following paragraph occurs: 'The Kamloops Indians affirm that the very highest mountain they know is on the north side of the valley at Tête Jaune Cache, about ten miles from the valley. This is named Yuh-hai-kas-kun, from the appearance of a spiral road running up it.' The mountain referred to is undoubtedly Robson Peak, as it is only fifteen miles north from the valley at Tête Jaune Cache. The 'spiral road' is probably an Indian's imperfect description of the horizontal lines on the face of the mountain. As far as can be learned no one, either Indian or white, has ever succeeded in reaching the summit."

The accompanying ilustration has kindly been loaned to the Journal by the Director of the Geological Survey.

Early last August an expedition consisting of Prof. A. P. Coleman of Toronto University, Mr. L. Q. Coleman and the Rev. Geo. B. Kinney, all active members of the Club, started from Laggan, a station on the Canadian Pacific Railway, with the intention of making the first ascent of this virgin peak, estimated to be 180 miles distant from the starting point.

The party followed the Pipestone and Siffeur Rivers to the Saskatchewan; then along the south bank of that stream, fording its tributaries, Mistaya River and Little Fork River. Finally the Saskatchewan itself was forded, and followed northward beneath the towering mass of Mt. Wilson. It was again crossed above the West Branch, and the party was soon climbing the side of Mt. Saskatchewan, past the canyons and waterfalls at the head of the stream, to the watershed between the Saskatchewan and Sun Wapta Rivers; above which towered the snow and ice-clad heights of Mt. Athabaska. The