19 May 1954 Journal the has been cold uncomfortable as well in yet it has been above freezing then served to melt off the snow. By now less than 10% snow cover prevails. On south facing slopes like the area across the river it is less then that. Two days ago-on the evening of the 23. The cover across the river was about 40%. Most of snow-remaining is in large hands in ravines-along river + in lea of ridges + along streams. The timber itself is largely clear. First flowers-the Safringa oporatphilia is just coming out. May26 Patimgean River. Up at 10 A.M. Gad! Tom Skinned out a few mice after breakfast. I walked the bar downstream from camp. Found a skeleton-possibly Ruggly Bear-a rib cage +pelvis-probably bucks from last year- I didn't realize however, that a bear skeleton was missing. Dragged it back to the tent + will take it in % barrow. We finally get set + crossed the river - the wind being down sufficiently to allow this. I almost capsized the boat in pushing off-put about 5 miles of water in the bottom, met myself pretty well. Otherwise we raced without