120 BULLETIN UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA 



suit of the work of Prin, P. M. Silloway, who devoted his entire time to 

 the study of the ornithological fauna, the results being given in detail 

 elsewhere. 



ASCENT OF Mcdonald peak. 



A party of six made the ascent of McDonald peak, taking two days 

 for the trip, with the intention of gathering material from high altitudes. 

 The start was made early in the morning, going as far that day as could 

 be gone with a horse, which was taken to carry provisions, material, 

 and blankets. The ascent for the greater portion of the distance from 

 camp was through dense timber, where it was impossible to see out. The 

 first steep slope, however, was open timber, full of ripe huckleberries, and 

 w^here there was considerable evidence of bear. Soon, however, a dense 

 growth of small yellow pines and fir, so thick a man could not enter 

 them unencumbered, was encountered, barring the way. This small 

 timber had been seen from below, and appeared to extend for a mile and 

 a half or more, but from a distance the timber did not appear so dense as 

 was found on closer inspection. It became necessary to either go around 

 or return, and the former was decided upon; but even this was very diffi- 

 cult, owing to the growth right up to cliffs, making it difficult to get tha 

 horse through. After much toil and fatigue the ridge leading up to the 

 main peak from the northwest was reached, when ascent became less 

 difficult, and finally comparatively easy. 



It is well to remark here that there is a well made trail to the highest 

 point to which a horse may be taken, the trail leading up from a ridge 

 near St. Ignatius, from which point many of the ascents are made. This 

 trail was made in the early days, and over it many persons of note have 

 travelled. By this trail it is possible to ride on horseback from St. Ig- 

 natius to snow. It is utterly impossible to take a horse to the summit. 

 The nearest point to which a horse can be taken is about twelve hun- 

 dred feet from the summit. The last twelve himdred feet require about 

 four hours of hard climbing. 



Camp for the night was made at an altitude of 7,800 feet, as shown 

 by the aneroid. There was not much place for camp, the ridge being 

 narrow, and the rocks rough. But by vigorous efforts each of the party 

 hollowed out a place large enough to lie in. Rocks were piled up on the 

 down hill side so as to prevent rolling over the cliff, which was but a few 

 feet away. Rolled in a blanket, the night was spent here. The locality 

 may be better understood by referring to Plate XXXIV. 



The timber at this place shows the ravages of fire. The south side 

 of the mountain in past years has been covered with a good growth of 

 white-bark pine. These extended a little above our camping site, and for a 

 long distance below. Fire had passed over the mountain in years gone 

 by, killing the trees, but leaving them standing. The result may be 

 seen by an examination of Plate XXXIV. At present the timber has not 

 made a new start, and the ground is comparatively bare, and in the sum- 

 mer, from its southern exposure, becomes dry and parched. The op- 

 posite side of the mountain is a cliff on which nothing can grow. 



At the time of our ascent a forest fire was raging below, filling the 

 air with smoke, making it difficult to see in some directions, and materi- 



