134 CAMP-FIRES IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES 



Climbing down seemed quite as dangerous as climb- 

 ing up. In descending dangerous slopes over loose rock, 

 I always found myself looking forward to a point of 

 altitude low enough that a fall from it would not quite 

 kill a man; then to the point that meant not more than 

 two broken limbs; then to the one-limb point; to bat- 

 tered knees only, and so on to the bottom. With shoe- 

 soles less wooden in their stififness, and with better nails 

 in the bottom, I would have felt very differently in those 

 mountains. 



Perhaps I should note here a few facts regarding the 

 best clothing for a mountain-climber. Naturally, a ten- 

 derfoot needs to have all conditions in his favor, but it 

 is likely that few succeed in securing a perfect outfit. 

 The shoes should be high, to protect and support the 

 ankles, but the soles should not be too thick, or inflex- 

 ible. The soles should yield somewhat to the rocks; and 

 they must be well studded with sharp-pointed hobnails, 

 screwed into the leather. In rough work and plenty of 

 it, two pairs of good shoes will last but little more than 

 a month. 



The trousers should be knickerbockers of gray mack- 

 inaw (wool), and the openings at the knee should be 

 six inches long, with buttons, in order that in severe 

 climbing they can be opened wide. With these, woollen 

 stockings are necessary. Suspenders are absolutely neces- 

 sary^ for the belt must be worn loose. The outer shirt, 

 of gray flannel, should be of medium weight. The neck 

 demands a large silk handkerchief, of some dark, neu- 

 tral color. 



