SOURCES OF THE SASKATCHEWAN 129 



snowy, triangular peak covered with ice, which now began to 

 appear in the west. The colors of rocks and cliffs in the distant 

 peaks and precipices seemed absolutely black in contrast with 

 the remarkable whiteness of the snow surface on all sides. Over- 

 head the sky was intensely blue, but marked by distinct wisps 

 of white cirrus cloud, spun out like tufts of cotton into shreds 

 and curving lines. 



At an altitude of 8,800 feet, or more than 4,000 feet above our 

 camp, I at length reached the summit of the mountain crest. It 

 was necessary to walk along the crest a quarter of a mile to reach 

 a somewhat higher point, which was the true summit. The 

 snow along this mountain ridge was in many places three or four 

 feet deep, and, mindful of the terrible alpine accidents caused 

 by cornices, I kept well away from the edge, below which it 

 seemed to drop sheer several thousand feet. The snow was 

 sparkling in the sun, and of the myriads of bright points about 

 one-half were merely white light, like diamonds ; the other half 

 were either green, blue, or amber-colored, like emeralds, sap- 

 phires, and topazes. From intense frost my gloves were frozen 

 so stiff that notes and sketches had to be done with bare hands. 



The most conspicuous and interesting part of the whole vast 

 panorama was the lofty summit of Mt Forbes, beyond the val- 

 ley of Glacier lake. This mountain and another about 10 miles 

 to the west were the two highest peaks in sight, and each is 

 probably between 13,000 and 14,000 feet in altitude. Glaciers 

 of very large size come from these mountains and terminate a 

 few miles above the lake. The whole valley of the Saskatche- 

 wan to its upper end and in the opposite direction for many miles 

 below the mouths of the North and Little forks was clearly vis- 

 ible. There was a very high rocky peak in a group of moun- 

 tains east of the Little Fork that occupies the position of Hector's 

 Mt Murchison, which he calculated to be 13,600 feet high. This 

 mountain is hidden away in a group that must be 75 miles in 

 circumference, and so it is rarely seen. There was a fine view 

 to the north, where a wild and desolate valley, thousands of feet 

 below, was dominated by a castle-like mountain over 11,000 feet 

 high, probably Mt Lyell, cut in ruins like ancient towers and 

 battlements. Of four plates exposed on this mountain only one 

 was successful, so I had a narrow escape from failing altogether 

 in getting a view of Mt Forbes, which, because of its great height, 

 is veiled from view by clouds and is frequently invisible for 

 weeks ;it ;i time. 



