Photograph by Fred Fenton 

 COAL BFDS NFAR THE EASTERN END OF THE PARK 



"At the Nenana coal field the traveler can see how nature, b}^ her generous placing" and 

 preservation of coal within the rocks, makes possible the industrial prosperity of our nation 

 by furnishing the fuel needed for its manufactures" (see text, page 73). 



square miles and determining the posi- 

 tion, height, and best route of approach 

 to the base of Mount McKinley. 



Inspired by the information furnished 

 by the Brooks party, the first attempt to 

 climb this great mountain was made in 

 the summer of 1903 by James Wicker- 

 sham, now delegate to Congress from 

 Alaska and sponsor for the pending bill 

 to create this great national park. Judge 

 Wickersham's party succeeded in reach- 

 ing an elevation of 10,000 feet, but a lack 

 of proper equipment and sufficient pro- 

 visions prevented them from climbing to 

 the summit. 



The highest peak remained uncon- 

 quered until 1913, when, on March 17, 

 Archdeacon Hudson Stuck, Harry Kar- 

 stens, and two companions left the mouth 

 of Nenana River, traveled by dog sled to 

 the Kantishna district to pick up supplies 

 landed there by boat in the fall of 19 12, 

 and proceeded to the basin of Clearwater 

 Foik, at the north base of Mount Mc- 



Kinley. After preparing their own pem- 

 mican from wild meat obtained near 

 camp, they began the actual ascent about 

 the middle of April and reached the peak 

 on June 7, 1913. Thus the mountain 

 summit was scaled seventeen years after 

 its first adequate description was pub- 

 lished. 



A BIG-GAM F PARADISE 



As a game refuge the new park in- 

 cludes an area that is unique on this con- 

 tinent, and few regions in the world can 

 vie with it. Many parts of Alaska are 

 famous for big game, and hunters have 

 come half around the world to that terri- 

 tory to obtain trophies of their skill. It 

 has been my good fortune to visit several 

 of the choicest game ranges in Alaska, 

 notably that east of Nenana River, adja- 

 cent to the Mount McKinley district, and 

 the much praised White River country. 

 Both of these regions are well stocked 

 with game, but for abundant sheep, cari- 

 bou, and moose over wide areas neither 



75 



