UP THE MOUNTAIN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 61, 15 March 1915, Page 2

UP THE MOUNTAIN.

STRATFORD SCHOOL CADETS' TREK. (Contributed by "One of Them." On Friday afternoon about forty members of the Stratford District I High School Cadet Corps, under the command of Lieutenant Buchler and iLieutenant Bowler, left Stratford on a route march to the Stratford Mountain House. In the forenoon the weather was cold and wet, but fortunately about 2 o'clock it cleared sufficiently to enable the trip to be undertaken. We left Stratford at a quarter to four, passing through Broadway to the cheering notes of the buglo, played by Mr Williams, manager of the Mountain House, who accompanied us as far as Bernard's Theatre. The town was soon left behind, and after proceeding for about three miles halt was called for a rest, after which the march was resumed, the smaller members of the party having been placed in front to regulate the pace; and in this order the Forest Reserve was at last reached. As it was now nearly dusk, the pace was increased, but now several began to drop out, and soon we were strung out in twos and threes for about a quarter of a mile. The House was reached about 7 o'clock, and a rush was made for the table where tea was being prepared by the boys sent on in the baggage cart for that purpose. After a good meal, preparations were made for "bunk," but all the bunks had been taken possession of by the first arrivals, and the- unfortunate ones had to sleep on the floor. We retired to bed at half-past eight, but shortly after "lights out" had been sounded and after everyone in our room had settled down, a raid was made on us by the boys from the adjoining rooms. This warfare was carried on'for some time, and at last "Might prevailed against Right," and as our bedding was all scattered about we got up and dressed. At last order was restored, but those who were fortunate to get to sleep were disturbed at a very early hour .next morning by those who were going to the summit. ■We breakfasted at half-past six, and at' seven o'clock started for the snowline, while others visited Curtis' Falls. We reached the snowline, and after indulging in the pleasure of snowballing, returned to the House. Of the party who attempted to reach the summit the following were successful : R. Raskin, B. Wilson, J. Bowler, M. James and J. Hall. Saturday was very fine and clear, and a beautiful view of the surrounding country was obtained from positions higher up on the Mountain, while from the Crow's Nest the various tints of the Native bush were seen to perfection. By 11 o'clock most of us were assembled at the House, and we then sat down to dinner, which consisted of pork, brawn, corn beef, cold boiled pork, pickles, Tomatoes, gooseberry pie, cake, etc., washed down with "black" tea. The time until our departure was spent reading or lying under the shade of the trees.

Before leaving the Mountain House on the return journey we were photographed by Mr Williams in a very pretty spot near the house, with the Native hush as a background for the photograph. We left at half-past three, and as some of the boys had Ito catch the train, we put our best foot forward, reaching Stratford in two and three-quarter hours. Although to- some the long walk was rather trying, as a whole it was a very enjoyable trip.