TM> Bife on $t (Routes 



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 



