an 



HAD gone into the San Juan Mountains 

 during the first week in March to learn 

 something of the laws which govern snow 

 slides, to get a fuller idea of their power and 

 destructiveness, and also with the hope of see- 

 ing them in wild, magnificent action. Every- 

 where, except on wind-swept points, the winter's 

 snows lay deep. Conditions for slide movement 

 were so favorable it seemed probable that, dur- 

 ing the next few days at least, one would "run" 

 or chute down every gulch that led from the 

 summit. I climbed on skees well to the top of 

 the range. By waiting on spurs and ridges I 

 saw several thrilling exhibitions. 



It was an exciting experience, but at the 

 close of one great day the clear weather that 

 had prevailed came to an end. From the table- 

 like summit I watched hundreds of splendid 

 clouds slowly advance, take their places, mass, 

 and form fluffy seas in valley and canons just 



3 



