PREFACE 



The individual interested in the world of out- 

 doors, in many-sided natural history, finds enter- 

 tainment everywhere in the wilderness, through all 

 the seasons. Storm, sunshine, night, desert, stream, 

 and forest are crowded with waiting attractions 

 and moving scenes. 



To have the most adventures and the greatest 

 enjoyment in a given time, ramble the wilds alone 

 and without a fishing-rod or a gun. The rambler 

 is free to wander afar and to enjoy the multitude 

 of adventures that come thick and fast upon him. 

 The wilderness being the safety zone of the world 

 these experiences are likely to be less dangerous 

 than staying at home. The hunter, however, 

 armed and killing, multiplies dangers, and in giving 

 his attention to game wanders but little and enjoys 

 less variety and fewer adventures. 



The chapters in this book are filled with the ex- 

 periences and adventures which came to me as a 

 solitary and unarmed camper in the wilds of the 

 continent. These and other experiences, together 

 with inheritances not so tangible, produced definite 

 results; I became a mountain climber and a peak 

 guide. In doing this I developed nature guiding, 

 that is, helping people to become happily acquainted 

 with the life and wonders of wild nature. 



