CHAPTER X.
CLOTHES FOR WALKERS AND CLIMBERS.
It is never wise nor safe to go to any mountain resort without several changes of flannels. While there are many hot days, the weather is variable, cold rains and snow sometimes occurring in the height of the summer. Always, the evenings are chilly and a wrap is necessary after dinner. Ladies will find a short serge or covert-cloth skirt, ankle-length or even shorter, a warm sweater fastening well up to the throat, a soft broad-brimmed felt hat, a motor veil of blue or green, and stout leather boots well nailed with ordinary nails, convenient and comfortable for roads and trails. A spiked walking stick, preferably with a sling, all ladies ought to have for comfort. Unless one is provided with the stout, nailed boots, a pair of new rubbers are needed.
For anything like comfort in climbing there are necessary: knickerbockers (not bloomers) made of covert-cloth (not serge which catches on rock and tears), and fastened below the knee with strap and buckle (not elastic) gaiters or puttees, two pairs of woollen stockings, and heavy, properly made, Swiss-nailed boots. Some climbers prefer puttees for the long snow-tramps. It is better to carry them in the rucksack until coming to the snow. Two extra pairs of stockings ought to be carried to exchange for wet ones at the beginning of a bivouac. Then a warm loose sweater and a short, double-breasted belted jacket with high collar, a felt hat (as above) that can be tied under the chin, if necessary, with a handkerchief or stout veil—a bandana preferable; a Jaegar cap with a small opening for the face, and coming down over the neck to be ready for storms or sudden cold; and large goggles of grey-green glass (more satisfactory than smoked glass) are all necessary in a climber's "outfit." The jacket ought to have plenty of pockets, especially two large inside pockets for maps; also a slit on each side to allow the belt to pass through and fasten underneath, thus keeping the coat in place when it is necessary to have the front open. The belt must be securely sewn at the back "or it will surely be lost," says Mr. V. A. Fynn, an experienced climber whose article on "Equipment" in the Canadian Alpine Journal, 1910, is heartily recommended to intending climbers for its practical detail, even to the pattern of each garment. Mr. Fynn prefers gaiters and advises baggy knickerbockers long enough to stuff into the gaiters when tramping in deep snow. But, as has been said, some good climbers prefer puttees. A very important article is a Jaeger abdominal belt. What applies to one sex applies to the other in all matters of clothing for actual climbing.
Boots are the climber's first consideration. It would scarcely be possible to improve upon the boot so precisely described by Mr. Fynn. The sole, ⅝ of an inch thick and extending beyond the uppers to protect the leather from sharp stones. should reach from toe to heel without a break, and the heel itself should project slightly all round. "A broad sole throughout materially stiffens the boot and gives a welcome sense of security when standing in ice-steps. The boot should fit closely at the heel and around the instep but entire freedom in all directions must be provided for the toes. If the
