MOUNT RAINIER 



now seem to rest against the central dome, secondary 

 glaciers, or interglaciers as they may be termed, have 

 excavated valleys and amphitheaters. In the V-shaped 

 mass of which Gibraltar is the apex, a broad amphi- 

 theater-like depression has been cut out, leaving a bold 

 cliff above it. The excavation of the amphitheater 

 did not progress far enough up the mountain to cut 

 away the apex of the V-shaped mass, but left it with a 

 precipice on its lower side. This remnant is Gibraltar. 

 An attempt will be made later to describe more fully 

 the process of glacial erosion of a conical mountain, 

 and to show that the secondary topographic features 

 of Mount Rainier are not without system, as they 

 appear at first view, but really result from a process 

 which may be said to have a definite end in view. 



Below Gibraltar the descent was easy. Our life 

 line was no longer needed. Tramping in single file 

 over the hard surfaces of the snow field, remnants of 

 the previous winter's snow, we made rapid progress, 

 and about noon gained the scattered groves of spruce 

 trees which form such an attractive feature of Paradise 

 Park. 



Fortunately, we found Prof. E. S. Ingraham, of 

 Seattle, and a party of friends, including several ladies, 

 encamped in Paradise Park, and the hospitality of the 

 camp was extended to us. During the afternoon we 

 basked in the warm sunshine, and in the evening 

 gathered about a roaring campfire and enjoyed the 

 society of our companions, who were enthusiastic in 

 their praise of the wonderful scenes about their camp. 



The southern side of Mount Rainier is much less 

 precipitous than its northern face, and the open park- 

 like region near timber line is broader, more diversi- 

 fied, and much more easy of access. The general 

 elevation of the park is between 5,000 and 7,000 feet, 

 and it is several thousand acres in extent. Its bound- 

 aries are indefinite. It merges into the heavily for- 

 ested region to the south, and into more alpine regions 



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