THE MOUNTAINEER 50 



the line with ]\Ir. Boyer, Mr. Blake and ^Ir. Nelson as captains of Com- 

 panies "A," "B" and "C," Mr. Nye of Snoqualmie acted as guide and 

 Mr. Curtis and JNIr. Price as advance guards. The party numbered thirty 

 when it started at 5 :30. Of this number twenty-four reached the summit. 



The first hour of the trip was along the river among the maples and 

 ferns, Mount Si ever looming before us, the pinnacles hidden in a grey, 

 lowering cloud mass. Afterwards the party came out on that almost un- 

 ending rock slope with which "Old Si" has surrounded its base, during 

 the centuries. Here a cache was made of all unnecessar.y packs and three 

 of the party left the main line. Our trail led out over the huge slabs and 

 boulders. Ever upward we climbed looking for the pinnacles that were 

 visible only at times, between the clouds. Then reaching the cloud zone, 

 ail distance was shut off and with it the trail. Reaching the base of an 

 impassible cliff the party waited for the clouds to clear, while the scouts 

 hunted for the trail. In a short time the clouds parted and we were called 

 to the trail, farther down the slope. Everyone had a good supply of second 

 wind when that was found for the mountain might not be a feather in our 

 caps that night, unless speed was made. 



At ten, the first general halt was called for luncheon. Two more de- 

 cided the mountain Avas too high and when the line sttirted on they were 

 left with a cheery l)onfire to comfort them. Our trail led ever upward not 

 wasting time in winding around the mountain fiank, but growing steeper 

 and steeper. Noav and then a cry of "look out below" and a rock loosened 

 by the forward companies would fly by. Fortunately the sky was overcast 

 that day. At times as the goal seemed almost impossible, the cheery words 

 of comrades spurred us on, until at last we came to the end, of the tatus 

 slope and to the narrow chimney or rift through one of the pinnacles, and 

 on up to the summit, reaching it lit one ten. We were greeted here by a 

 huge bonfii-e which Islv. Price and Mr. Curtis had ready for us, and though 

 everyone was hungry and weary, the whole party, inspired by the actual 

 summit, were ready with yells of victory and with energy to enjoy a snow- 

 ball fight in the adjacent field. Then to the dinner in our meadow of princess 

 l)ines antl kinnikinnick with the cloud bank beneath us and here and there 

 an island hill-to]) or a shinnnei'ing band of river showing througli the parted 

 cloud nuisses. 



Our time being limited we remained on the summit only for a short 

 time and started on the tedious down .hill trail at two. Tiuit talus slope 

 Avill long remain in our minds. It seemed endless as we carefully picdced our 

 WAV to avoid sliding rocks. On the doAvnward trip we were rewarded with 

 a grand view of the country to the west. The Sound shown as a line of glim- 

 mering silver and the valley winding in and out on its sea-ward joui-ney was 

 woi-tli all the toil of the morning. 



When at last we reached the field at the mountain base, some had al- 

 most forgotten how to walk on the level, but as the party came into camp, 

 radiant with its conriucst everyone was ready to cheer for ]\Iount Si and 

 ready also to ]);irtake of the splendid dinner all prepared, thanks to the 

 home party. 



The home coming Mas interesting especially to those of scholarly tend- 

 encies, who planned to reach Seattle that night. But, alas, for plans of 

 mice and men ! We will long remember the ride through the dense black 

 forest. This party managed to reach Seattle at 7:30 ]\Ionday morning ancl 



