Page:The Selkirk mountains (1912).djvu/100

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
86
Guide to The Selkirk Mountains.

the face of a gigantic breastwork, a mighty rampart over whostlop towered the tent-like .summit of Mt. Swanzy."

Rogers Hut—Name: In relation to Mt. Rogers.

Altitude: Near timber-line on the slopes below Rogers Glacier. The hut was built by the C.P.R. Company for the accommodation of persons making the ascents of Mt. Rogers, Hermit, Tupper and Sifton. By sleeping here an early start is possible and insures good going on the snows of Swiss Névé and Rogers Glacier. It is a mere shack primitive in the extreme, out of repair and very uncomfortable; the roof leaks and mountain rats (pack rat, bush-tailed rat) are very much in evidence. On fine nights, the climber is more comfort able outside.

Route: The hut is reached by a trail along the north side of Bear Creek. It is customary, however, to follow up the bed of the railway. A mile easterly from the station, the path begins t<' ascend and zigzags up the mountain side. Although very steep in places, ponies may be taken up.

View: The hut is set on a prominent place commanding a splendid view of the pass beneath and of the upper valley of the Illecillewaet; also, of the Sir Donald Range and Glacier, Mt. Bonney and the Bonny Amphitheatre. On the alps between timber-line and the glacier, alpine flowers follow each other in gay profusion according to their season. It is of such high, remote and rugged gardens—gardens of wild grandeur, that Victor Hugo was thinking when he said: "These huge old gloomy mountains are marvellous growers of delicate flowers; they avail themselves of the dawn and the dew better than all your meadows and hillocks can do it."

Rogers Mt.—Name: By Carl Sulzer. after Major Rogers, the discoverer of Rogers Pass.

Altitude: 10,536 feet.

Location: The highest massif of the Hermit Range, situated directly north of Rogers Pass summit, and consists of the following peaks, enumerated from west to east: Rogers Peak, 10.536 feet; Grant Peak. 10.216 feet; Fleming Peak, 10,370 feet; Swiss Peak. 10,515 feet, and Truda Peaks, 10,216 feet. Mt. Rogers is a fine snow and-rock mass of much serrated appearance. Seven glaciers radiate from it like the spokes of a wheel. It dominates Rogers Pass on the north side and is in full view from Glacier House, 8 miles away, where its glaciers and snowfields show picturesquely above the steep basal slopes covered by dark green forest.

Rogers Glacier—Name: In relation to Mt. Rogers, whence it flows.

Altitude: 7,200—8,800 feet.

Location: Immediately west of and below Rogers Peak; and occupies a central position in an amphitheatre of which Mts. Tupper and Grizzly are the outlying peaks, and Mts. Sifton, Rogers and Hermit the intermediate ones. There are three fairly good-sized glaciers and a small one tributary to the basin. It is evident that at one time they were united and filled the whole of it, flowing over the crest and down the slopes to the bed of Bear Creek. The old moraines at a considerable distance from the present forefeet of the glaciers and the rounded, ice-worn condition of the rocks furnish simple proof. The amphitheatre is of extreme interest owing