158 I. C. Russell — Expedition to Mount St. Ellas. 



return for additional rations, were obliged to go back to Camp 12 

 in order to get a tent and an oil-stove. On reaching that place 

 the temptation to return to Blossom island was so great that 

 Lindsley could not resist it and went back to the base-camp, 

 where he reported that Kerr and I were storm-bound in the 

 mountains and in need of assistance. Three men. Partridge, 

 Doney, and White, started at once, and found Stamy, who had 

 waited for their arrival at Camp 12. A day was thus lost, which 

 increased Mr. Kerr's hardship and might have proved disastrous. 

 The party then returned to Rope cliff and joined Kerr on the 

 .evening of August 29. On this occasion, as on several others, I 

 found myself indebted to Stamy for willing assistance when 

 others hesitated. 



During my imprisonment at the highest camp, Mr. Kerr was 

 detained under similar circumstances at the camp below Rope 

 cliff. On endeavoring to rejoin me with the supply of coal oil, 

 so very valuable under the circumstances, he was caught in the 

 storm and was unable to reach the rendezvous appointed. He 

 reached Rope cliff late in the afternoon of the first day of the 

 s.torm, climbed the precipice, and found his Avay through the 

 gathering darkness, along the nearly obliterated trail beneath 

 the avalanche cliffs, and up the steps cut in the snow-cliff, to the 

 site of our bivouac camp. Finding nothing there, and being 

 unable to proceed farther through the blinding storm, he aban- 

 doned the attempt and returned to the camp below Roj)e cliff. 

 In descending the rope, he found that its lower end had become 

 fast in the snow. The taut line, sheathed with ice, was an un- 

 certain help in the darkness. Midway in the descent his hands 

 slipped and he slid to the bottom ; but the cushion of new snow 

 broke the fall and prevented serious injury. Alone, without 

 fire, without blankets, having only a canvas cover and a rubber 

 cloth for shelter, and Avith but little food, he passed three anxious 

 days and nights before the arrival of the camp hands. 



The Return. 



Deciding that the ascent of Mount St. Elias could not be ac- 

 complished through the new snoAV, Avhich refused to harden, it 

 was decided to abandon the attempt and return to Blossom 

 island. Our retreat was none too soon. Storm succeeded storm 

 throughout September. Each time tlie clouds lifted, the mantle 



