30 The American Geologist. Jan. i89i 
'Blossom island." From there our work in the high mountain's 
began. 
'On following up Marvin glacier, which flows to the west of 
Blossom island, for about fifteen miles we reached an elevation 
of 4,000 feet and found an easy pass, although filled with glacial 
ice, leading westward across what, from a distance, seemed an 
impassable mountain range. We named this ' Pinnacle pass ' on 
account of the tapering spires overlooking it. West of Pinnacle 
pass we descended to a glacier that has its source far to the north 
of mount Cook, and separates that mountain from the St. Elias 
range. On crossing this glacier and approaching the mountain 
wall which rises to the west of it, we again found a pass leading 
toward St. Elias that afforded an easy passage to the Conrad 
glacier, one branch of which rises on the northern slope of the 
great mountain. Following up this branch we at last, after twenty 
days' hard work above the snow line, found ourself encamped at 
the base of St. Elias. The weather had been clear for ten days 
and we had every prospect of a good day's climb on the morrow. 
"Rising at 3 o'clock in the morning, we began what we be- 
lieved to be the final ascent, but, after a few hours, storm clouds 
settled down around us, snow began to fall, and all landmarks 
were lost to view. The storm continued for thirty hours without 
cessation, and it was with difficulty that we found our way through 
the blinding snow to a lower camp where the necessary rations 
were to be had. A second attempt was made to reach the summit 
two days later, but another snow storm broke over the mountains 
as suddenly as the first. This time L was alone in the highest 
camp, where I was imprisoned for six days before being able to re- 
join my party below, while Mr. Kerr was similarly isolated at the 
first camp lower down. When I started down there was six feet 
of new snow which refused to harden, and rendered it impossible 
to do more work among the high peaks. 
"On descending to :i lower level I started on an excursion up 
the glacier between St. Elias range and mount Cook, which gave 
promise of leading to a low pass across the main range, hut a 
third snow storm coming on I was obliged to return to Blossom 
island, and there rejoined Mr. Kerr, who had descended a few 
days previous. My stay above the snow line lasted thirty-five 
days. During that time we lived in tents, many times camping 
