D4 The Mountaineer 
tripod. A system of triangulation executed with theodolites 
constitutes the basis of the entire survey, while lines of precise 
levels connecting with sea level furnish the basis for the eleva- 
tions. 
Last summer a line of levels was run into the park over 
the new government road via Ashford and carried up to Me- 
Clure rock, which is one of the important points of the triangu- 
lation system. From it vertical angles were taken with great 
care to the peaks of the Tatoosh range and many other im- 
portant eminences and their elevations computed trigonomeri- 
cally. The exact altitude of Mount Rainier itself is ultimately 
to be determined in a similar manner, only, in view of its im- 
portance, the measurements are to be taken with high-power 
instruments and the most approved triangulation methods. It 
is desired to make the determination of the altitude of the 
mountain beyond question as regards accuracy, and consider- 
able extra work has been undertaken merely for the sake of 
accomplishing this end. 
Unfortunately a heavy snow fall early in October covered 
up the tall stone cairn which was built on the rim of the south 
erater for a triangulation signal, and thus this work had to 
be abandoned for the season without the height of the moun- 
tain being definitely worked out. It is hoped, however, that 
the final figure will be announced early next summer when the 
work will have been resumed. 
The detailed mapping of a huge glacier-covered peak like 
Rainier calls for no little mountain climbing. The surveyors 
made daily climbs with their instruments on their backs, that 
is to say, with a fragile load, that a single misstep might ruin. 
The peaks of the Tatoosh range were climbed repeatedly and 
treated as so many hills. Eagle peak was climbed three days 
in succession and Pinnacle peak four times, the work on those 
points being so extensive as to require several long days for 
its completion. 
Mount Rainier itself was ascended twice, the first time in 
order to build the cairn referred to, and the second time in 
order to take the necessary measurements. In both cases the 
party encountered violent gales on the summit; on the second 
occasion the wind literally swept them off their feet at times. 
and the work had to be executed from the lee of the cairn. 
