THE MOUNTAINEER 75 



Mountaineers in the Olympics 



By MARY BANKS 



INTO the heart of the Olympics! 

 1 wonder if it is possible to couve}' in Avords, to those who do not 

 know, what that means to one who has spent even a brief space of 

 time within the region. Certain it is that no words of mine can begin to por- 

 tray the beauty of it all. Since I could but fail in any attempt to describe 

 the country through which we passed, the real part, (for after all it is the 

 view to be had from the mountains, rather than the mere attainment of the 

 summits, which is the real part) of The Mountaineers' trip into the Olympic 

 Mountains, will have to remain untold, and only the unimportant details 

 be chronicled. 



Undaunted by the fact that every writer in referring to the Olympic 

 region always dwelt upon the impenetrability of the forests as the reason 

 for its never having been explored. The Mountaineers soon after organiza- 

 tion decided upon Mount Olympus as the goal of their first annual outing, 

 with the idea of giving the members an opportunity for original research 

 in a hitherto untouched field. 



I should like to tell of the obstacles overcome in accomplishing this 

 idea, for it is a tale well worth the telling. Of the work of Asahel Curtis, 

 aided by W. Montelius Price and L. A. Nelson, and abetted by the Board 

 of Directors of the Club. How, the funds being utterly inadequate to defray 

 the necessary cost of trail-making. Port Angeles, a thriving sea-coast town 

 in the vicinity, was persuaded to undertake the cutting of a way through 

 some sixty miles of forest as a business proposition for itself; how the 

 exorbitant prices demanded by the packers proving prohibitive, the Club 

 purchased its own train, and other like incidents. 



In justice to the Club I must tell how, when everything was finally in 

 readiness — provisions enough to last sixty-five people for many weeks safely 

 cached away at the foot of the mountains, full sixty miles from civilization — 

 and when it lacked but a fcAV days of the date set for the start, Avord came 

 that three men had hired a guide who was in a position to know where 

 the way had been cleared, had quietly made the ascent in advance of the 

 Club, and returning, had hastily published accounts of "The Ascent of 

 Olympus," with no credit given to the ]\Iountaineers who had made the trip 

 possible. 



Too much praise cannot ])e given those who managed the expedition. 

 Never, I am confident, did mountaineers have better or more elaborate meals 

 served them, and better-natured or finer cooks, with an almost uncannv 

 genius for making delicious pies, cakes and other delicacies without many of 

 the most necessary ingredients. When it is considered that tents, beyond 

 one small general awning, were out of the question, even for the Avomen, and 

 that Avith one small cam]) oven and a bon-fire, bread Avas baked every dav 

 and meals, often consisting of six courses, or more, Avere served to from forty 

 to sixty-five persons, the even temper of the cooks Avill appear no small item. 

 Thanks are due ]\Ir. W. F. Delabarre and many others of Port Angeles, 

 and also to INIessrs "William and Grant Humes, Avhose hospitality at their 

 camps, and Avhose courteous and generous imparting of knoAvledge of Avoods 

 and mountain lore, added much to the interest find pleasure of the trip. 



