Peaks and People

Graveyard Camp, Monday, June 22. Still raining gently when we got up, but clearing and only showers during day. About 3 hrs. drive to Moss Camp. I took a walk down the creek to the river in P.M. for a constitutional.

Mosquito Camp, Saturday, June 21. Clouds down tight over everything, and raining gently. We waited by our own fireside till the packs were ready to start, about 11. Had not gone more than a quarter of a mile when W. yelled to know if any packs were ahead of us. As there were not, we waited developments for about half an hour. The Twins, who always gave U. endless trouble, had dashed off to one side at the rear, and gone back to their feeding ground on the rolling hills between camp and Mt. Wilson. They were haled back, and the long procession got under way again. W. rides at the head, H in the middle of the bunch, and U. at the back. The best horses, our last year’s bunch and the Peyto ones, mostly get in the front half, Dandy usually in the lead, so U. has as bad time with the laggards and the ones who don’t know the trail, and especially the aggravating little twins. They are only three year olds, Lucy is a light roan, and Biddy is sort of pinto, and they insist on ambling along si...

Mosquito Camp, Saturday, June 20. All hands up early, breakfast over by 6:45, and horses all in, but as it continued to rain harder all the time, we decided to lay over again; the horses were turned out, and we prepared for another long session by the camp fire. After lunch all off in spite of rain, mostly in different directions. I took my hammer  and went up to the canyon – found nothing of special interest Canyon cut along the strike of thin bedded bl kst dip about 20° n. e. No distinct foss[il] remains. Kst. Weathers reddish brown. A good many small iron (?) concretions, and sometimes rusty looking between the beds, and filling worm-like cavities. M. and W. took horses across the Sask[atchewan] (still lower than the last time) to look for a special flower, which they did not find. Came upon the Wilsons camped near Bear Creek however, paid them a visit and brought John back to supper. Decided to move out tomorrow, rain or shine.

Mosquito Camp, Friday, June 19. Expected to get up very early and hike on up the N. Fork, but instead of the showery weather we have had ever since getting here, today was a steady downpour. So except for an occasional gentle warwhoop from some tent, there was no sigh of life in camp until 9:45. Breakfast happened about 10:30, and lunch, consisting of an especially excellent mulligan, about 3 P.M. Not much let up in the train and barometer still sticking low. [A wet camp], Mary Schäffer fonds, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies (V527/ PS 1 - 16)

On June 23, a new book about Mary Schäffer, An Adventurous Woman Abroad, will be launched. Many people have heard about Mary Schäffer, the first non-native woman to see Maligne Lake. Her survey of that beautiful lake contributed to its inclusion in Jasper National Park. Fewer people know Mary (Mollie) Adams.  Mollie Adams was Mary's traveling companion on many of her journeys into the backcountry and abroad from 1905 until 1911. Mollie documented their 1908 journey in search of Maligne Lake in her daily diary.  Follow their adventures over the next few months as her words are revealed. This is Mollie's diary entry for today’s date in 1908. Mosquito Camp, Tuesday, June 18. U. went out at 3:45 A.M. to have a look for deer, but no luck as usual. After breakfast he an H. started off for Glacier Lake. I went out and had a try for fish in the N. Fork, but did not get even a nibble. W. and Mr. B. arrived just in time for supper. They had had a strenuous trip, having gone all ...

On June 23, a new book about Mary Schäffer, An Adventurous Woman Abroad, will be launched. Many people have heard about Mary Schäffer, the first non-native woman to see Maligne Lake. Her survey of that beautiful lake contributed to its inclusion in Jasper National Park. Fewer people know Mary (Mollie) Adams.  Mollie Adams was Mary's traveling companion on many of her journeys into the backcountry and abroad from 1905 until 1911. Mollie documented their 1908 journey in search of Maligne Lake in her daily diary.  Follow their adventures over the next few months as her words are revealed. This is Mollie's diary entry for today’s date in 1908. Mosquito Camp, Tuesday, June 17. We took our lunch with us and made an expedition back across the Sask[atchewan], M, Un., and H. going on a few miles up to the Bear Creek canyon, and I staying at the mouth of Bear Creek to fish. Had no luck, however, only 3 small trout, the largest not more than 6 inches long. After catching the th...

Mosquito Camp, Tuesday, June 16. W. and Mr. B off at 8:30 A.M. with Dandy, Nibs and Silver. Laundry to the fore again. Showery weather continuing.  Crocus, Mary Schäffer fonds, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies (V527/PS 1 - 557) 

On June 23, a new book about Mary Schäffer, An Adventurous Woman Abroad, will be launched. Many people have heard about Mary Schäffer, the first non-native woman to see Maligne Lake. Her survey of that beautiful lake contributed to its inclusion in Jasper National Park. Fewer people know Mary (Mollie) Adams.  Mollie Adams was Mary's traveling companion on many of her journeys into the backcountry and abroad from 1905 until 1911. Mollie documented their 1908 journey in search of Maligne Lake in her daily diary.  Follow their adventures over the next few months as her words are revealed. This is Mollie's diary entry for today’s date in 1908. Mosquito Camp, Monday, June 15 Going to stay here several days while W. [Billy Warren] takes Mr. B. down to the Plains. Showers and gales sweeping down from Glacier Lake in A.M. Nothing much doing except a little laundry work. Trail Riders, Mary Schäffer Fonds, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, (V527/PS 1 - 352) [...

On June 23, a new book about Mary Schäffer, An Adventurous Woman Abroad, will be launched. Many people have heard about Mary Schäffer, the first non-native woman to see Maligne Lake. Her survey of that beautiful lake contributed to its inclusion in Jasper National Park. Fewer people know Mary (Mollie) Adams.  Mollie Adams was Mary's traveling companion on many of her journeys into the backcountry and abroad from 1905 until 1911. Mollie documented their 1908 journey in search of Maligne Lake in her daily diary.  Follow their adventures over the next few months as her words are revealed. This is Mollie's June 14, 1908 diary entry. Willow Camp, Sunday June 14 On down to the Sask[atchewan] with no trouble. 6½ hrs. At Mosquito Camp at 5 P.M. Crocus, Mary Schäffer Fonds, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, (V527/PS 1 - 557)

On June 23, a new book about Mary Schäffer, An Adventurous Woman Abroad, will be launched. Many people have heard about Mary Schäffer, the first non-native woman to see Maligne Lake. Her survey of that beautiful lake contributed to its inclusion in Jasper National Park. Fewer people know Mary (Mollie) Adams. Mollie Adams was Mary's traveling companion on many of her journeys into the backcountry and abroad from 1905 until 1911. Mollie documented their 1908 journey in search of Maligne Lake in her daily diary. Follow their adventures over the next few months as her words are revealed. This is Mollie's diary entry for today’s date in 1908. Saturday, June 13 Cool day. Showers, Went on down past the Wildfowl Lakes and camped about 3 or 4 miles below. About 4½ hrs. drive. Cold night and frost. Birch leaved spiraea, Mary Schäffer fonds, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies (V527/ PS 1 - 202)

On June 23, a new book about Mary Schäffer, An Adventurous Woman Abroad , will be launched. Many people have heard about Mary Schäffer, the first non-native woman to see Maligne Lake. Her survey of that beautiful lake contributed to its inclusion in Jasper National Park. Fewer people know Mary (Mollie) Adams. Mollie Adams was Mary's traveling companion on many of her journeys into the backcountry and abroad from 1905 until 1911. Mollie documented their 1908 journey in search of Maligne Lake in her daily diary. Follow their adventures over the next few months as her words are revealed. This is Mollie's June 12 diary entry. Bow Lake Friday, June 12 Heavy frost in the night. M. (Mary Schäffer) Mr. B. and I started out ahead again, thinking we would make the slight detour at the summit to go to the lookout point over Peyto Lake, but the snow was still so deep and travelling so bad, that we were glad to find as we went down the Bear Creek side. It was cold and desolate on th...

On June 23, a new book about Mary Schäffer, An Adventurous Woman Abroad , will be launched. Many people have heard about Mary Schäffer, the first non-native woman to see Maligne Lake. Her survey of that beautiful lake contributed to its inclusion in Jasper National Park. Fewer people know Mary (Mollie) Adams. Mollie Adams was Mary's traveling companion on many of her journeys into the backcountry and abroad from 1905 until 1911. Mollie documented their 1908 journey in search of Maligne Lake in her daily diary. Follow their adventures over the next few months as her words are revealed. This is Mollie's June 11 diary entry. Bow Park, Thursday, June 11 Midget not yet recovered from the sprain, in spite of having been tied up to a snag in the middle of the river for several hours yesterday. Weather is so bad thought it might be necessary to lay over another day, but it cleared after breakfast, so we got off. Fine and bright, but pretty cool. Stopped to photo Crowfoot Glacie...

On June 23, a new book about Mary Schäffer, An Adventurous Woman Abroad , will be launched. Many people have heard about Mary Schäffer, the first non-native woman to see Maligne Lake. Her survey of that beautiful lake contributed to its inclusion in Jasper National Park. Fewer people know Mary (Mollie) Adams. Mollie Adams was Mary's traveling companion on many of her journeys into the backcountry and abroad from 1905 until 1911. Mollie documented their 1908 journey in search of Maligne Lake in her daily diary. Follow their adventures over the next few months as her words are revealed. This is Mollie's June 10 diary entry. Bow Park, Wednesday, June 10 A nice lazy day in camp. Sewing, knitting, etc., and a short walk to photo some beautiful Trollius we had passed coming in. Not quite to clear and warm as the last two days. Light showers in the evening. Porcupines got busy in the night, but were routed with great slaughter. Camp in burnt timber, Mary Schäffer fon...

On June 23, a new book about Mary Schäffer, An Adventurous Woman Abroad , will be launched. Many people have heard about Mary Schäffer, the first non-native woman to see Maligne Lake. Her survey of that beautiful lake contributed to its inclusion in Jasper National Park. Fewer people know Mary (Mollie) Adams. Mollie Adams was Mary's traveling companion on many of her journeys into the backcountry and abroad from 1905 until 1911. Mollie documented their 1908 journey in search of Maligne Lake in her daily diary. Follow their adventures over the next few months as her words are revealed. This is Mollie's June 9 diary entry. The Damp Spot Tuesday June 9 5½ hours drive to Bow Park. The same unfortunate Buckskin pony who got mired yesterday was down again in a bad bit at a sharp bend of the river. Mosquito Creek was quite a roaring torrent, Black Bess and the horse H [Holmes] fell down it. Polo [Charley] Mr. B’s [Brown’s] pony is new to the trail and his first attempts at l...

On June 23, a new book about Mary Schäffer, An Adventurous Woman Abroad , will be launched. Many people have heard about Mary Schäffer, the first non-native woman to see Maligne Lake. Her survey of that beautiful lake contributed to its inclusion in Jasper National Park. Fewer people know Mary (Mollie) Adams. Mollie Adams was Mary's traveling companion on many of her journeys into the backcountry and abroad from 1905 until 1911. Mollie documented their 1908 journey in search of Maligne Lake in her daily diary. Follow their adventures over the next few months as her words are revealed. This is the first of Mollie's diary entries. June 8, 1908 Monday Having spent the night in great discomfort at L. [Lake] Louise Chalet, the place not being officially open and in an awful mess, we started joyfully for the comforts of camp. The bunch of 23 horses were in Mr. Warren’s corral by his new shack down in the woods by the old road, and we were told to be on hand there about 10 A.M...

On June 23, a new book about Mary Schäffer, An Adventurous Woman Abroad , will be launched. Many people have heard about Mary Schäffer, the woman who discovered and surveyed the now famous Maligne Lake, but fewer know Mary (Mollie) Adams. Mollie Adams was Mary's traveling companion on many of her journeys into the backcountry and abroad from 1905 until 1911. In 1905 Mary and Mollie travelled with other women in their party, but they soon discovered that they most enjoyed one another’s company and that two was the perfect number for the trail. Mollie was a geology teacher at Columbia College. She and Mary met through their mutual interest in flowers. Mollie and Mary would spend their winters in anticipation, carefully planning their trips. In the early 1900s, it took a pack train of ten or more horses to explore the Canadian Rockies for the summer. A weighty canvas tent would provide the roof over her head while on the trail and fresh food was hard to come by.   ...