Page:Canadian Alpine Journal I, 1.djvu/271

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176
Canadian Alpine Journal

TRIPS




Among other events of the camp week the following trips require special mention, viz.:


A two-day trip around the Yoho valley, starting out by the lower trail and returning by the upper. A night was spent at a camp close by the Laughing falls. This trip took in all the varied and strikingly beautiful alpine scenery of the valley and presented a seemingly endless panorama of towering peaks, waterfalls, glaciers, snowfields, ice-cascades, precipices, lakes and forest, almost bewildering in their spectacular effects, and filling the beholders with wondering delight.

Four such trips were made, on consecutive days, and in all sixty persons were taken round the valley. Each party was accompanied by a number of ponies to carry the baggage for the night out, for crossing mountain torrents and to afford mounts for those who were tired. This trip was voted the feature of the camp.


Three trips were made, under the leadership of the Rev. J. C. Herdman, to the glacier below the northeastern escarpment of the President range, known as the Emerald glacier.

Twenty-seven persons participated in these trips, and much enjoyment and general information concerning glaciers were derived therefrom.


A special trip was made to the close vicinity of the Takakkaw falls, under the leadership of H. G. Wheeler. The party consisted of nineteen, and were greatly delighted with the trip.


On the 14th and 15th, a special committee, representing the Scientific section of the Club, made a trip to the Yoho glacier for the purpose of initiating yearly observations of its various changes and rate of flow. A full report of the expedition will be found in the Scientific section of this volume.

In addition to the above, trips were made daily to Inspiration point, reached by a corkscrew trail branching from the Upper Yoho valley trail at a point near the camp. This point is well named, for the view from it not only takes one's breath away in wonder, but fills the mind with an inspiration that it never again loses. Also, to Lookout point on the Lower Yoho valley trail, presenting a magnificent view of the full majesty of the Takakkaw falls, with its thousand feet of a sheer drop. The Burgess trail seemed a favorite, and many visitors came to and returned from the camp by that route, from which the Presidents range and Emerald mountains with their glaciers, icefalls and torrents, are seen to the greatest advantage; while below, Emerald lake nestles in a setting of deep green forest.