“Parties travelling alone will not need to employ guides until they get near Fort Macpherson, and from there on to the Klondyke, as the rest of the route from Edmonton is so well defined, having been travelled for years, that no guides are required.

“You don’t need a couple of thousand dollars to start for Klondyke to-morrow by the Edmonton route.  All you need is a good constitution, some experience in boating and camping, and about $150.  Suppose a party of three decide to start.  First they will need to purchase a canoe, about $35 or less; first-class ticket from Hamilton to Edmonton, $71.40; second class, ditto, $40.90; cost of food at Edmonton for three men for two months (should consist of pork, flour, tea and baking-powder), $35; freight on canoe to Edmonton, $23.  Total for three men from Hamilton to Fort Macpherson, provided they travel second-class on the C.P.R. will be $218.70.  These figures are furnished by Mr. Heming, who has been over the route 400 miles north of Edmonton, and got the rest of his data from the Hudson Bay officials.

“If three men chip in $150 each they would have a margin of over $200 for purchasing their tools and for transport from Fort Macpherson to the Klondyke.  This is how it may be done on the cheap, though Mr. Heming considers it ample for any party starting this summer.  Prices will likely rise on the route when the rush begins.  If the Hudson Bay people are alive to their interests they will forward a large amount of supplies for Fort Macpherson immediately and make it the base of supplies for the Klondyke during the coming winter.

“Parties should consist of three men each, as that is the crew of a canoe.  It will take 600 pounds of food to carry three men over the route.  Passengers on the C.P.R. are entitled to carry 600 pounds of baggage.  The paddling is all down stream, except when they turn south up Peel River, and sails should be taken, as there is often a favorable wind for days.

“There are large scows on the line, manned by ten men each and known as ‘sturgeon heads.’  They are like canal boats, but are punted along and are used by the Hudson Bay people for taking forward supplies to the forts.

The return trip to the United States is usually made by the Yukon steamers from Dawson City direct to St. Michael via the Yukon and Anvik River, thence by ocean steamer from St. Michael to San Francisco.”

The following letter is interesting to the prospector as showing the difficulties to overcome up the Taiya Pass to Lake Lindeman.

Winnipeg, July 27, 1897.