Russeirs Work on Saint Ellas. 177 



dian canoemen after leaving Sitka prevented their scaling this 

 keystone of the great Cordilleran arch. 



The unfortunate New York Times expedition, led hy Lieu- 

 tenant Schwatka in 1886, did- not succeed in reaching even the ' 

 base of the mountain. The Topham expedition, led by Messrs 

 Topham of the Royal Geographical Society, included also Mr 

 William Williams of the National Geographic Society. They 

 were the first to stand on mount Saint Elias itself, and climbed 

 to a height of 11,4G0 feet on the crumbling rim of the crater 

 on the southern face of the mountain. Further ascent was im- 

 possible from that side, and Mr AVilliams left the American flag 

 and his tin box of records at that point in July, 1888. 



Professor Israel C. Russell was given charge of the National 

 Geographic Society's first expedition to mount Saint Elias in 

 1890. He landed in Yakutat bay, at a point 60 miles southeast 

 of the great peak, and ascending to the snow-line followed the 

 glaciers along the slope of the range to Newton glacier, on the 

 southeastern slope of Saint Elias. He was imprisoned in his 

 tent alone at the highest point, 9,500 feet, for two days by a 

 heavy storm which, covering everything with soft snow, ren- 

 dered climbing impossible for the rest of the season, and made 

 the return difficult and dangerous. 



In 1891 a second mount Saint Elias fund was raised by vol- 

 untary subscription Avithin the Society, and Professor Russell 

 was again given charge. He landed at Icy bay, 40 miles directly 

 south of the mountain, and in a measure followed theSchwatka 

 and Topham routes to the foot of Libbey glacier. There he 

 diverged toward the east and joined his trail of the preceding sea- 

 son. He followed up past magnificent ice falls and ice ampithe- 

 aters to the head of Newton glacier, and attained an elevation of 

 14,500 feet on the northeastern face of the mountain. From that 

 outlook he saw for 100 miles northward myriad dark peaks 

 pricking through the great mantle of snow and ice, and mount 

 Saint Elias showed itself a detached peak — an abru23t spur 

 running out from the main range of mountains. He camped 

 at an elevatioii of 10,000 feet for days, waiting for the favorable 

 day to scale the summit, but the storms continued, the provis- 

 ions ran low, and they retreated from that near point when as- 

 sured that all chances Avere against them for the season, and 

 their strength failing from the meager diet to Avhich they were 

 reduced and continued storms that threatened their light tent. 



24— Nat. Ghoo. Mag., vnr,. V, 18n:i. 



