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Mountaineer Annual, 1907-29
* Lowell Skoog has a copy of each article marked with an asterisk.Mountaineer Annual, 1910
p. 62, Fuller, H.A., "Local Outings of the Mountaineers" *
Describes a New Years outing to Scenic Hot Springs from December 31, 1909 through January 2, 1910. Fifty-four Mountaineers attended. This is described as "a popular trip during the winter months." Neither skis nor snowshoes are mentioned, but the party took day hikes from the hotel. On their last day, they hiked to Wellington and the entrance to the Cascade Tunnel.Mountaineer Annual, 1912
p. 78, Bailey, Winona, "Local Walks"
Mentions a "glorious midwinter frolic in the snow at Index, the gateway of the Cascades." Probably no skis or snowshoes, but shows that Index was a winter destination in the early days.Mountaineer Annual, 1913
p. 65, Burroughs, Hazel, "Local Walks" *
Contains an account of the first New Years outing to Mt Rainier organized by the Tacoma Branch. The outing spent five days at the Longmire Inn. Since this annual was published late in 1913 or early in 1914, the outing must have taken place over the 1912-13 New Years holiday.No mention is made of skis. The author writes: "Footwear was especially interesting. Some walked clumsily along on 'bear-paws,' while others 'mushed' on snowshoes brought from Alaska." Many in the party reached Narada Falls and six made it to Paradise.
The article also mentions a February outing at Scenic Hot Springs, where "keen delight was taken in skiing and toboganing on a seven-hundred foot slope back of the hotel."
p. 74, Denman, A. H., "Tacoma Mountaineers" *
The Tacoma Branch was organized in March, 1912. This short report mentions "a four days' winter outing to Longmire Springs that gave us fame--in some respects more than we knew what to do with."p. 85, Clark, Irving, "The Mountaineer Lodge" *
During the 1913 summer outing in the Olympics the idea of a lodge was suggested and quickly took hold. Members began pledging money for the cause, with the lodge estimated to cost about $1000. The Directors appointed S. V. Bryant lodge chairman. Scouting for a location was started. The lodge was planned to provide accessibility to the bulk of the membership, year-round access, a pleasing and simple design, a mountain view, a location to provide several days' tramp to peaks and lakes, and to make possible the enjoyment of winter sports.Mountaineer Annual, 1914
p. 85, Bryant, Sidney V., "The Lodge" *
That was quick. The Lodge was sited near Snoqualmie Pass, on the Milwaukee Railroad, on a knoll 500 feet above the railroad tracks, 1-1/2 mile from Rockdale and 2-1/2 miles from the pass (next to Lodge Lake, which was not yet named). The Lodge had a wide view to the west, toward Silver Peak, the south fork Snoqualmie River, Granite Mountain, "The Matterhorn" (Kaleetan Peak), and Denny Mountain. The article notes that "the Snoqualmie Pass road, just completed, is easily reached by a good horse trail." The Lodge was designed by Carl Gould. The article includes a photo of a solid looking log structure with attractive paned windows and doors looking west. It notes that "running water will be piped into the building from the rock slide at the back."p. 99, Udall, Mrs. W. H., "Tacoma Mountaineers"
This branch report mentions the 1913-14 New Years outing to Mt Rainier. Many of the party made it to Paradise this year and a few made it as high as McClure Rock.Mountaineer Annual, 1915
p. 77, Bowman, J. N., "Seattle Local Walks" *
Describes a Washington's Birthday outing at Snoqualmie Lodge, which included "a twelve-mile hike over snow from twelve to twenty-five feet deep." The article includes a photo of a large group of snowshoers posing in front of the Lodge.p. 84, Scholes, Stella, "Tacoma Local Walks" *
The 1914-15 midwinter outing to Mt Rainier was cancelled because of problems with the train schedule.p. 93, Crawford, Clayton, "The Lodge" *
Describes the charms of the Snoqualmie Lodge and improvements made during the past year. The author writes, "Every trip to the Lodge and every contribution of time, labor, or money seems to make the members fonder of it."p. 95, "Prospective Improvements in the [Mount Rainier] Park" *
Describes plans for roads in Mt Rainier park, including a Carbon Valley highway, a road along the west side of the mountain from the Carbon Valley highway to the Paradise Valley road at the Tahoma River, and a road along the south side of the mountain from Narada Falls, past the Tatoosh Range, to Ohanapecosh Valley, and then northward, connecting to the Naches road. The west side road will encircle Crater Lake and have a branch into Spray Park. With this system of roads, "it will be possible to encircle the mountain by automobile except for a portion of the north side, keeping most of the time at an elevation of 3500 to 5000 feet."(Later annuals contain more on these proposals, including articles by Park Service officials lobbying the Mountaineers for support and chiding them for trying to limit park access to the hardy elites. The proposal was billed as the "Wonderland Highway.")
The article mentions that a road was extended the previous summer by private mining interests up the White River into Glacier Basin. Also, construction is ready to begin on a hotel at Camp of the Clouds (Paradise). A shelter hut at Camp Muir, designed by Carl Gould, is also planned.
Mountaineer Annual, 1916
p. 71, Morrison, C. G., "The Lodge Country" *
A thorough overview of the area surrounding Snoqualmie Lodge, describing hikes, climbs and snowshoe trips. At the time of this article, the Tooth had not yet been climbed. (The author made the first ascent the following season.) The article includes two historic photographs from the Lodge vicinity, one looking west down a very pristine looking Snoqualmie Valley toward McClellan's Butte and Granite Mountain (the railroad grade is just visible) and the other looking toward Kaleetan Peak across untouched forests now spanned by the I-90 elevated freeway at Franklin Falls. The article describes the area to the south, along the Cascade divide, as one of the least explored sections near the Lodge. A trail has been blazed to Silver Peak, but not yet opened up. There is a fine panorama photo looking north from Silver Peak, which also shows untouched country.p. 80, Hargrave, Margaret D., "A Local Walk" *
The article describes snowshoeing near Mt Rainier and Snoqualmie Lodge and includes a photo of a group of snowshoers in a flat valley below Mt Rainier.p. 85, Pratt, Will D., "The Proposed Mount Baker National Park" *
The author, president of the Mount Baker Club, describes efforts by his club to move a bill through Congress to create this park. The author writes that "it is expected there will now be no difficulty in securing the passage of the Mount Baker National Park bill early in the session of the next Congress." Too bad it never happened.Mountaineer Annual, 1917
p. 47, Jacobs, Frank A., "Paradise Valley in Midwinter"
A fine photo of Mountaineers on foot, some possibly carrying skis, with this caption: "New Year outing party of 1917 crossing the bridge over Paradise river, on their way to Sluiskin Falls." The western Tatoosh peaks can be seen in the background. The photo accompanies the J.H. Weer article.p. 47, Weer, J. H., "Winter Mountaineering" *
A description of the appeal of winter mountainering. The article is based on the author's experiences during the Tacoma Branch winter outings to Mt Rainier. The article describes impressions, conditions, equipment. It contains this reference to skiing:"In this article reference is made mostly to travel on snowshoes, rather than skis, the former being the equipment most easily adopted by beginners. The use of these requires no great skill, though at the outset the wearer finds them clumsy rather than intricate. Their chief difficulty is the weight which they represent for dragging over or through the snow at each step. Without them, or skis, travel in the mountains in winter is well-nigh impossible. As to skis, many of those who have mastered their use prefer them above snowshoes, and there is a steadily growing interest in them. Doubtless they will be in much more common use in a few years."p. 66, Morrison, C. G., "Snowshoe trip to North Side of Mt Rainier" *
This mid-March trip was ambitiously planned to approach Glacier Basin from Enumclaw, then traverse the east side of the mountain to Longmire. The trip was foiled by poor weather. The two-man party did make it to Glacier Basin (escaping the weather in the newly constructed Storbo hotel), after 34-1/2 miles on snowshoes from their car. Then they hiked back out.p. 96, "Snoqualmie Lodge Committee Report" *
The most noteworthy improvement around the Lodge was in trails. An excellent trail now leads from the Lodge to Silver Peak, and another makes a loop connecting Divide, Surveyors and Rockdale Lakes. The previous annual mentioned that the Silver Peak trail was blazed in 1916. (I think the first ski ascent of Silver Peak would have occurred after construction of this trail.)Mountaineer Annual, 1918
p. 50, Shelton, Celia D., "Mountaineer Activities" *
Notes on year-round activities by the club. Mentions winter activites based around Snoqualmie Lodge and "the annual snow-shoe trip to Mount Rainier." Fine photos of a winter snowshoe climb of Silver Peak. Quote:"The masters of the gentle art of skiing take on a superior air, and let it be known that the lowly snowshoe has no caste at all in the world of winter sports. A trip to Snoqualmie Lodge is usually enough, however, to establish the snow-shoe solidly in favor as a very present help in trouble, with skis holding first place in the popular opinion on Lodge Lake and the toboggan course."The article mentions the annual Washington's birthday outing at which "the long postponed snow-shoe carnival materialized." Enthusiasm from the carnival prompted plans for a "ski and toboggan slide that should end with a long course across Lodge Lake."
Note: Fred Beckey's Cascade Alpine Guide (Vol. 1) says that Silver Peak "was climbed on skis in 1918" and cites this article as a reference. There is no mention of skiers on Silver Peak in this article and the photos on pp. 52-53 depict snowshoers, not skiers. I conclude that Silver Peak was not climbed on skis as early as Beckey says.
This article also describes the rainy 1917-18 New Years outing to Mt Rainier, during which only a single day was spent at Paradise, due to flooding.
p.64, "Glimpses of The Mountaineers During the War"
Interesting context for the other entries of 1918.At the end of the book there is an ad for Piper & Taft, Inc. ("The Sporting Goods Store") with drawings of both a snowshoer and a skier.
Mountaineer Annual, 1919
p. 45, Cutter, Mary, "Snoqualmie Lodge" *
A report on improvements made over the summer to the Lodge and vicinity, including the cutting of "over 100 sizable trees" to clear a toboggan course 50' wide by 300' long ending at the edge of Lodge Lake. The course is said to be wide enough to accommodate tobogganing and skiing at the same time. The author writes, "It is hoped that many of the members will invest in skis and become expert in this exhilarating sport."In the Piper & Taft ad near the back of the annual, a drawing of a lady skier figures prominently and a pair of snowshoes is relegated to the lower left corner.
Mountaineer Annual, 1920
p. 51, Mooers, Ben C., "Interesting climbs in the Snoqualmie Lodge region" *
Silver Peak has proved to be one of the most popular climbs from the Lodge. The routes from the Lodge and from Rockdale have been traversed by snowshoe parties. There is no mention of skis, leading me to believe that the peak had not been skied yet.Mountaineer Annual, 1922
p. 84, Whitmire, Laura G., "Snoqualmie Lodge" *
Briefly describes the annual skiing tournament. The Women's Skiing Trophy is awarded to the woman amateur who demonstrates the highest skill in several prescribed tests. The Harper Cup is awarded to "the novice showing the greatest progress in the sport."An ad for The Outdoor Store near the back of the annual states, "We carry 'Northland' Skis and those put out by Swedish Importing Co., in 6 ft. to 8 ft. lengths, in pine, ash and hickory."
Mountaineer Annual, 1923
p. 62, Hazard, Joseph T., "Special Outings, Mt Rainier in Winter" *
Describes the annual winter trip to Paradise Valley organized since 1913 by the Tacoma Branch around the New Year, with this quote:"The 'Ski' is the high-powered gun of the outing. Three pairs of skis, a few years ago, ventured to follow in the wake of Thor Bisgaard, our pioneer. Last winter about forty had become addicts. This year the name of the 'Ski Persons' should be legion. No place on earth is better adapted to the ski than is Paradise Valley. There is no wilder or more intense joy than to side-step a long, steep slope and then to run it with the free swoop of an eagle. Many of the Mountaineers describe snow-shoeing as day labor, and skiing as sport."p. 63, Schenck, Fred B., "The Tatoosh Range in Mid-Winter"
Fine photo of two snowshoers and a skier near Paradise, accompanying the Joseph Hazard article.p. 80, Cameron, Crissie, "Snoqualmie Lodge" *
The annual report of activities includes this quote:"Each year the ski gains in popularity. The festive ski-runner now flits scornfully by the deliberate snowshoer. The sight-seeing columns of snowshoers retort that they enjoy more of the beauties of nature, and have even been heard to allude to our old friends the hare and the tortoise."Mountaineer Annual, 1924
p. 35, Conway, Elizabeth Wright, "An Ideal Winter Outing" *
The article contains personal impressions by someone attending the annual winter trip to Paradise Valley for the first time. The author describes taking the train to the park hotel then hiking to Paradise Inn the following day, where the group spent four days in fine weather snowshoeing, sledding and learning to ski. The article includes no names and few specific facts, but it paints a nice picture of the character of these early group outings.p. 40, Tomlinson, Owen A., "Development of Our National Park"
Mentions how increasing demand has led the park to keep the road open from Nisqually entrance to Longmire Springs throughout the winter. The Paradise Inn also provided informal service throughout the winter.p. 65, Kirkwood, Elizabeth T., "Kitsap Cabin and Snoqualmie Lodge" *
The annual activities report includes this quote: "People did not talk about snowshoes, it was all about skis. When the three-quarters of a mile ski run became too safe and tame for the speedy ones, they took to the rock-pile course and annihilated distance."Mountaineer Annual, 1925
p. 57, McComb, Florence, "Lodge and Cabin" *
The annual Kitsap/Snoqualmie report includes this quote: "Skiing is decidedly in the ascendancy for the long winter season at Snoqualmie Lodge and the snow-shoe is as much out of style as the 'covered wagon,' though it still has a few staunch supporters who like to plant their feet firmly and know that they will stay put."p. 70, Lee, Fairman B., "Mount Baker Club"
Mentions completion of the $2000 Kulshan Cabin below Heliotrope Ridge on Mt Baker.An ad for The Outdoor Store near the back of the annual shows a detailed illustration of a ski binding of the day.
Mountaineer Annual, 1927
p. 46, Walsh, Mrs. Stuart P., "High Adventure in Winter" *
A rousing (almost hyperventilating) ode to the Mountaineers in winter. Lots of exclamation points.p. 49, Maxwell, W. J., "Skiing Near Rainier's Summit" *
Describes an attempt to climb high on Rainier using skis. On April 30, 1927, Andrew W. Anderson, E. Lester LaVelle and the author left Seattle and drove to the White River park entrance. They hiked eleven miles to the Glacier basin mining company cabin. After a stormy day on May 1, they set out at 2:30 am on May 2, reaching Camp Curtis at the upper edge of Interglacier at 7 am. They continued to 12,500 feet by 3 pm, then turned back in the face of high winds. A photo by LaVelle shows Anderson and Maxwell roped up, climbing the Emmons on skis. (The leader is holding an ice axe in his left hand instead of a ski pole.) They skied back to Camp Curtis and down the Interglacier to the cabin. The author predicts that "soon some one, under favorable conditions, will ski to the summit of Columbia Crest."A University Bookstore ad for skiing equipment says, "You all know Wally Burr's hand-made skiing equipment. His expert workmanship is itself a guarantee of satisfaction."
Another ad for The Outdoor Store hails skiing as "King of the Winter Sports."
Mountaineer Annual, 1928
p. 45, Walsh, Mrs. Stuart P., "Skiing and the Ski Hut" *
The article describes the dedication of the Meany Ski Hut near Stampede Pass on November 11, 1928 (photo of the hut). The hut became the third Mountaineer shelter, following the Kitsap Cabin and the Snoqualmie Lodge. The article summarizes the shift in popularity from snowshoes to skis during the previous ten years, the club ski trophies established in 1921, and outings in the Snoqualmie area accomplished on skis (including the first tour from the Lodge to Stampede Pass). The article also mentions an attempt on Mt Rainier via Camp Curtis (Emmons Glacier) in April, 1928 by seven Mountaineers (unnamed). Skis were used to 12,000 feet, after which three men reached the summit on crampons.p. 51, Walsh, Edna Flexer, "To My Ski" *
A poem.Mountaineer Annual, 1929
Vol 22, Special Ski NumberThe Ski Committee assisted in publication of this annual. Members:
Andrew W. Anderson
T. Dexter Everts
Hans-Otto Giese
Norval W. Grigg
Robert H. Hayes, chairman
W. J. Maxwell
Paul Shorrock
Otto P. Strizek
Mrs. Stuart P. Walsh, secretary
p. 28, Clark, Irving M., "Skiing in Switzerland" *
An overview of skiing in Switzerland based on three winters spent there by the author (photos). He states that in the past ten years (since WWI) the sport has become widely popular, and most of the Alpine resorts above 3000 feet are now more popular in winter than in summer. Most skiing involves approaching the mountains and perhaps ascending the first 2000 feet by train, then climbing on skis and skins an additional 2000-3000 feet to a club hut, followed by a run down, usually to a point 500 to 1000 feet below where the train ride ended. The article concludes with a description of a glacier tour by the author (with guide) from the Jungfrau Railway to the Concordia Hut, continuing down the Aletsch Glacier to the Rhone Valley at Brig.p. 33, Hayes, Robert H., "The Development of Skiing in the Mountaineers" *
A good overview of the introduction of skiing at the Snoqualmie Lodge. Describes establishment of a skiing committee in 1927-28 led by Ernest N. Harris. The committee supervised cup races, arranged instruction at the Lodge, and directed the siting and construction of the Meany Ski Hut. The article describes the ascent of Silver Peak as one of the most popular in the area. It states that the ski committee has developed a series of tests as the basis for more systematic instruction. It ends by predicting that the club will maintain its lead in Northwest skiing.p. 37, Amundsen, K. Vilhelm, "History of Skis and Ski-Running" *
A chapter translated from the author's book, Ski-Running. Discusses the age and origin of skis and snowshoes based on research by Fridtjof Nansen and other authors.p. 40, Giese, Hans-Otto, "Ski-Jumping" *
Describes Nordic ski jumping and includes a photo of Nels Nelson jumping 235 feet on the "big hill in Revelstoke, B.C." on February 6, 1924. Contains an excellent description of the technique and experience of ski jumping. The author describes ski jumping as "the climax of all athletic accomplishments."p. 44, Everts, T. Dexter, "Trophies" *
Summarizes the history of ski trophies awarded by the Mountaineers from 1922 through 1929. The trophies include:Women's Skiing Trophy: Donated by Edith Knudsen, Helen MacKinnon and Elisabeth Wright Conway to encourage skiing among women members. First awarded in 1922. Points awarded for form, time and excellence in ascent and descent over a cross-country and downhill course.
Cross-Country Skiing Trophy (Harper Cup): Donated by Paul C. Harper as an incentive to inexperienced skiers (two years or less). First awarded in 1923. Points awarded for speed and deducted for falls along a cross-country course.
Meany Ski Hut Trophies: Donated by the University Book Store. First awarded in 1929. The annual cross-country race, with separate men's and women's trophies, open to all, with time alone determining the winners.
New trophies accepted by the Ski Committee in 1929:
Ski Patrol Trophy: Donated by Andrew W. Anderson and Norval W. Grigg to promote cross-country skiing and make better known to club members the Cascade crest between Snoqualmie Lodge and Meany Ski Hut. The route followed "the high line route via Silver Peak trail, Olalee Meadows, Mirror Lake trail, Mirror Lake, Yakima Pass, Meadow Creek, Dandy Creek and Dandy Pass, or vice versa." A patrol consists of three skiers, each of whom must carry a ten pound pack with emergency rations, compulsory and optional equipment.
Ski-Jumping Trophy (donated by the Outdoor Store), Down-Hill Trophy (donated by W.J. Maxwell), and Slalom Trophy (donated by Robert Hayes): These trophies open to all club members, to develop skill in these disciplines.
p. 49, Grigg, N. W., "Dress, Equipment and Waxes" *
Tips on clothing, boots, bindings, touring skis, poles, glasses and wax, plus other equipment such as repair kits, sealskins, flashlights, stoves, shovels and more. Offers waxing advice, including this nugget, "The ancients used dried fish, so we can do no less than try anything." Also recommends a few ski books (all said to be in the club library) for those wanting to delve further into the subject.p. 55, Thomson, Hermia, "Early Impressions" *
An exuberant look at skiing from the point of view of a new skier. (An editor's note states that Miss Thomson won the Women's Skiing Trophy in 1929 after less than one season's experience.)p. 57, Maxwell, W.J., "Skis Triumphant: A Story That Could Be True" *
A fictional story of Jim Connor, a Mountaineer skier of two seasons, who with a few club friends, leaves Snoqualmie Lodge one morning bound for Silver and Tinkham Peaks. They witness a U.S. Mail plane crash near Mirror Lake, and Connor, giving "an exhibition of his marvelous dexterity on skis," leads the group to rescue the pilot, survive a winter bivouac, and rush the mail on ahead. The rescue concludes when the skiers are met by other Mountaineers coming up from Meany Ski Hut, foreshadowing (intentionally no doubt) the newly conceived Patrol Race. The story ends, "Skiing skill had triumphed!"A Frederick & Nelson ad "recognizes skiing as an important part of the year's sports calendar," and offers domestic and Norwegian clothes and equipment, sold out of the golf shop, third floor.
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