Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 276, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 November 1913 — MOUNTAINS VANISH OFF MAP [ARTICLE]

MOUNTAINS VANISH OFF MAP

Brown and Hooker Peaks, on Old Ca> \ nadlan Profiles, Cannot Be Found. Winnipeg.—That Mount Brown and Mount Hooker, traditional monarchs of the Canadian rockles, which were supposed to guard Yellow Head Pass, and which were, first mentioned 66 years ago by Dohglass, a botanist, do not exist has Just been proved by Alfred Mumm and Geoffrey Howard, English Alpinists, who have been investigating mountain regions in the neighborhood of Mount Robson and the pass. In exploration work spread over several weeks these mountain climbers have discovered no trace of the mythical mountains. The mountains were reputed to b# between 10,000 and 17,000 feet in height. While these mountains do not appear to exist, Messrs. Mumm and Howard, accompanied by Morits Inderbinen, the fdrmer Swiss guide, explored peaks each in the neighborhood of 11,000 feet high in the vicinity of Robson, and which together form one of the most magnificent groups of mountain peaks which these experienced mountain climbers have ever seen. Photographs have been taken by Mr. Mumm of an old blaze on the bark of a pine tree in the heart of the Rockies -which he thinks may possibly be a relic of an early pioneer tragedy. During the dispute between trappers cf the Northern Fur company and the Hudson Bay company trappera pushed their way through the mountains from British Columbia, following the route of Wood river, and eventually arriving in an amphitheater of mountains known as the “Committee’s Punchbowl.” The men had suffered frightful hardships and a consultation was held as to whether they would return or go forward. Seeing they had arrived at the watershed, it was thoughtytoßir journey was only half over, and some decided to go back. The most of these perished, while those who went forward soon struck the easy path through Yellow Tead and were out of the mountains in a week. The blaze discovered by Messrs. Mumm and Howard is thought to have been carved by four of the ill-fated party. Above the date, Octobers 20, 1853, are carved the following initals: J. M., W. C.. H. A. T. and H. S.