Mollie Adams Diary of Her Journey in the Canadian Rockies June 11, 1908
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 Glacier. Upper Bow Lake almost covered with ice. We did not have to take to the water this time, the trail along the edge being passable for some reason or other, perhaps there was still a little frost in the ground. Lots of big snow banks everywhere. A dark threatening cloud presently swooped down over the pass, and a cold wind and snowstorm came upon us – our slickers were all packed away in the duffle bags, although we ought to have known better than to trust the weather. I untied my skirt from the back of the saddle and pinned it around my neck as a cape. At the head of the Lake we stopped to wait for the packs as we were probably to camp there. We huddled in the lee of a spruce tree, made a fire and Mr. B. spread his poncho over all our heads and it hung down at the back, making a good shelter from the driving snow. As we had left camp when they were just beginning to pack, they did not come for about an hour and a half. Then we proceeded to the point and camped. Snow continued at intervals, thermom[eter] 39°. It seemed very like old times. It was very beautiful late in the afternoon during the clearing moments between squalls. Midget’s injury turned out to be not a sprain but a stick two inches long which had gone right through the soft part of his foot.
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 Glacier. Upper Bow Lake almost covered with ice. We did not have to take to the water this time, the trail along the edge being passable for some reason or other, perhaps there was still a little frost in the ground. Lots of big snow banks everywhere. A dark threatening cloud presently swooped down over the pass, and a cold wind and snowstorm came upon us – our slickers were all packed away in the duffle bags, although we ought to have known better than to trust the weather. I untied my skirt from the back of the saddle and pinned it around my neck as a cape. At the head of the Lake we stopped to wait for the packs as we were probably to camp there. We huddled in the lee of a spruce tree, made a fire and Mr. B. spread his poncho over all our heads and it hung down at the back, making a good shelter from the driving snow. As we had left camp when they were just beginning to pack, they did not come for about an hour and a half. Then we proceeded to the point and camped. Snow continued at intervals, thermom[eter] 39°. It seemed very like old times. It was very beautiful late in the afternoon during the clearing moments between squalls. Midget’s injury turned out to be not a sprain but a stick two inches long which had gone right through the soft part of his foot.
| Mary Schäffer fonds, Crowfoot Glacier. Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, (V527/PS 1 - 07) |
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