The Forgotten Explorer: Samuel Prescott Fay's 1914 Expedition to the Northern Rockies

Traversing the historic trails of the Rockies today is done in much the same manner as it was two centuries ago—primarily on foot with heavy packs, with little better defence against mosquitoes or the elements. Although accurate maps are available, and modern technology such as global positioning systems stand as a bulwark to a complete wilderness experience, in many cases it is as difficult and challenging to cross these mountain passes, or even more so, than it was two centuries ago. Routes such as Athabasca Pass are far less travelled today than they were in the golden era of the fur trade. If our society has become so rich that we continually seek out physical and mental challenges in the wilderness—adventure and eco-travel—perhaps it would be a sign of respect to follow at least for a while in the footsteps of those who in many ways paved the way for gernerations to come. We began to form the idea of hiking all the significant historical trails to see what we could learn from the early pathfinders, about the difficulty of wilderness life and travel. What window would be opened to times past in a land where the terrain has remained essentially unchanged?

The Sioux Struggle

When the gold-struck Northwest was opened up to settlement, westward expansion progressed from a trickle to a flood, devastating everything—and everyone—in its path. The Sioux and the Cheyenne knew that the hordes of settlers had to be stopped. But nothing—not even their peace-making attempts—could quell the greedy desires of the white man for land.

Dependent upon buffalo for their livelihood, the Sioux found the great herds divided by the new railroad tracks and threatened on all sides by blue-uniformed soldiers. Soon, this proud people would find themselves drawn into a long, bloody battle against these soldiers, many hardened veterans of the Civil War.

Only Sitting Bull had the courage to fight back, defying the inevitable consequences. In the aftermath of the disastrous battle of the Little Big Horn, Sitting Bull was ready to lead his people in one last try at self-determination—and survival.

Impeccably researched, rich with real-life characters and period detail, this powerful historical novel vividly recounts the fall of the Sioux Nation and its inimitable leader, Sitting Bull, who heroically attempted to preserve his people's way of life in the face of overwhelming odds.

A Proud Stand

Sitting Bull took the lead. "I have killed many whites," he began, "but not without provocation. They have taken our land, they have killed our women and children, they have come where they were not welcome, telling those who have always lived there that they would have to leave. I am prepared to be peaceful, but not if it means giving up everything my people need to live."

De Smet listened respectfully, occasionally asking a question or two. "I am not here to make peace," he said. "I cannot do that, but it is something I want to see happen. I think it would be a good thing if you were to meet with the peace commissioners at Fort Rice. This war is a terrible thing. It is terrible for the whites and it is terrible for the Lakota. The cruelty is causing pain to everyone involved, and it would be a good thing if it could be ended now."

Sitting Bull said nothing.

As I paused on a massive ledge far out on the moraine I was nearly overcome with the deathly silence. The power and majesty of mountains stand forth most clearly when accompanied by some great sound, the crashing of thunder or avalanche or the roar of a rushing stream.

First published in 1900, The Rockies of Canada is based on one of the first major works to be written about the mountains of western Canada, Camping in the Canadian Rockies (1896). Focusing upon the escapades of the Lake Louise Club, a group of relatively inexperienced climbers from Yale University and elsewhere in the eastern United States, this fifth volume in the Mountain Classics Collection offers the reader a glimpse not only of the remarkable beauty and grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, but also the danger and rigours these early adventurers experienced nearly every day.

Del Burk farmed, ranched and guided big-game hunters in some of the richest wild-life areas of Canada.  The biography covers a recent patch of history, but a patch already gone.  The farm equipment he knew now belong in museums, and the ranching practices of the fifties and sixties have largely simply disappeared.  Where Del's big-game guiding experiences took him over trails meant only for horses, there are now paved roads or the rutted paths of ATVs.  

Del's story as a big-game guide is one of continually changing territory and challenges.  His travels nearly always took him to the mountains.  His first mountains were in the Casiar Mountains of BC.  Other travels took him into the rocky mountains of Western Alberta, as well as the North West Territories and the Yukon.  His main non-mountain experience took him to the Buffalo Plains of the North-West Territories where he guided a hunter to a world record trophy.

The ebook is illustrated by the paintings and sketches of John Stone, a well known painter from James River Bridge, Alberta.  The book also includes numerous photos and even links to YouTube videos taken from fifty year old 8mm film.

Del's stories help you re-live an interesting but not to be repeated past.