124 C.W. Hayes — Expedition through the Yukon District. 



White river, flowing from the south in a deep narrow valley. 

 This we conclnclecl must be the pass of which the Indians had 

 told us, and our belief was strengthened by meeting a high wind, 

 amounting almost to a gale, blowing through from the south- 

 A couple of miles back from its mouth a wall of moraine-covered 

 ice stretched across the valley, the river emerging from a tunnel 

 on the extreme western side. This Avas undoubtedly the ice 

 which the Indians said it would take us at least four days to 

 cross. As usual, however, their statement was wide of the truth. 

 Crossing a couple of miles of rough moraine-covered glacier with 

 a gradual ascent toward the south, we came to a long stretch of 

 firm white ice upon which walking was a positive luxury after 

 our days of floundering in the deep moss and alder thickets of 

 White River valley. We continued to ascend gradually for 

 about ten miles, directing our course toward a low saddle in the 

 mountains on the south which we supposed to be the pass. 

 ToAvard evening, hoAvever, Ave were surprised to find the surface 

 of the glacier descending and a little later discovered a deep 

 narroAV gorge turning off to the right almost at right angles with 

 our former course. We had crossed the divide, and in a short 

 time Avere off the ice and camped on a stream floAving into the 

 Pacific. This Avas the Nizzenah, a tributary of tlie Chittenah, or 

 eastern branch of Copper river. 



The next foiir days Ave continued our journey doAvn the nar- 

 row canyon Avhich this stream has cut through the mountain 

 range and encountered the most difficult traveling Ave had yet 

 found. The vegetation on the southern side of this range rivals 

 in luxuriance that of the coast. Forcing our way through the 

 dense groAvth of alder and spruce Avhich covers the steep slopes 

 at the base of canyon Avails Avas extremely sIoav and painful 

 work. A mile in four or five hours Avas counted fair progress. 



At length, after having been compelled to ford the river several 

 times, we reached a point at Avhich it appeared not Avholly im- 

 practicable for boating, and it Avas decided to stop and build a 

 boat. Our tools consisted of a very dull axe and our pocket 

 knives, but Avith these Ave heAved out a keel and guuAvales from 

 spruce saplings and fashioned ribs from avIIIoav poles, lashing 

 the structure together Avith twine ravelled from our pack ropes. 

 Over this frame Avas stretched the canvas in Avhich our bedding 

 had been wrapped and finally the covering Avas smeared liberally 

 Avith sprucegum. In this craft our ])rogress Avas more rapid and 



