Bif* on 



of the "State Snow Observer of Colorado." I 

 have never heard of another position like it. Pro- 

 fessor L. G. Carpenter, the celebrated irrigation 

 engineer, was making some original investiga- 

 tions concerning forests and the water-supply. 

 He persuaded me to take the position, and under 

 his direction I worked as a government exper- 

 iment officer. For three successive winters I 

 traversed the upper slopes of the Rockies and 

 explored the crest of the continent, alone. While 

 on this work, I was instructed to make notes on 

 " those things that are likely to be of interest or 

 value to the Department of Agriculture or the 

 Weather Bureau," and to be careful not to 

 lose my life. 



On these winter trips I carried with me a cam- 

 era, thermometer, barometer, compass, notebook, 

 and folding axe. The food carried usually was 

 only raisins. I left all bedding behind. Notwith- 

 standing I was alone and in the wilds, I did not 

 carry any kind of a gun. 



The work made it necessary for me to ramble 

 the wintry heights in sunshine and storm. Often 

 I was out, or rather up, in a blizzard, and on 



4 



