CAMP FIRES IN THE YUKON 161 



but at length the side packs were adjusted, the dia- 

 mond hitches cinched tight over the pack covers, and 

 we were ready. Taking leave of the hunting com- 

 panions and guides, who would follow a week later 

 through Harris River Valley, Wolcott and myself, 

 with Baker and Hayden and George Wright with 

 the pack train, started down the snow-covered St. 

 Clair bottoms until we came to Bull Creek, whose 

 dwindling course we followed up the rocky canyon 

 into the heart of the hills where the going was slow 

 on the bowlder-strewn, snow-covered footing, and 

 where we forded the rushing stream a number of 

 times. 



Six miles up the creek we began our ascent of the 

 mountian slopes covered with deep snow with 

 George Wright leading the way while the rest of us 

 followed single file, leading our saddle horses with 

 the pack animals scattered between us through the 

 column so we might keep them from straying. 

 Ridge after ridge we traversed, plowing our upward 

 way through the drift, dripping with perspiration 

 despite the lowering temperature of the mountain 

 crests, stopping frequently to get our breath and 

 rest the horses. The slopes were very slippery, the 

 sun glare on the snow was frightful, and would have 

 been unbearable except for our snow glasses, but the 

 poor pack beasts plodded along with closed eyes to 

 shut out the awful glare. 



The horses were frequently slipping in the snow, 



