White men had not yet explored the Olympic Mountains at that time, either, so the Seattle Press newspaper called for volunteers in 1889 to explore them after strong interest from Washington Territory Governors, Eugene Semple and his successor, Elisha P. Ferry.
On October 23, 1889, the story appeared in newspapers nationwide - interest was widespread. James Halbold Christie, born in Scotland, sent a letter from North Yakima and expressed his desire to lead the expedition. He had explored mountains from the eastern boundary of Quebec to Hudson Bay and in the Northwest Territories up to the Arctic Circle.
Christie asked for financing; on meeting him William Bailey, publisher of the Press, granted the request for funding to send him on his way. He assembled an exploration party of six.
Christopher O'Connell Hayes (a 22-year-old range cowboy from eastern Washington), John Crumback (the expedition cook) and John W. Sims (a hunter, trapper, prospector and trader) were the first to sign up to accompany Christie. Captain Charles A. Barnes who previously served in the United States Revenue Marine (whose task was to photograph and map the area) and a Puyallup doctor, Harris Boyle Runnalls (the expedition's natural historian), completed the exploration party.
James Christie's party of six men (five completed the trek), four dogs (including Christie's two bear dogs, Bud and Tweed - the other dogs were Daisy and Dike), two mules (Jennie and Dollie) and 1,600 pounds of supplies spent five-and-a-half months in the mountains on a north/south crossing December 8, 1889. The middle of winter!
Why?
Others were suddenly wanting to be the first to discover the mountain lands. They had to get off on the expedition first to ensure their party succeeded in the task.
The thoughts of how they'd survive were interesting.
They planned to live on game, but Bailey made sure they were amply supplied with flour, bacon, beans and coffee and other provisions. To get the flavor of their other supplies, according to Christie's journal - they had "...Winchester rifles, ammunition, a tent, canvas sheets, blankets, fishing tackle, axes, a whip saw for cutting out logs, a few carpenter tools, the necessary tools for mineral prospecting, rope, snowshoes, a small but well selected assortment of cooking and other utensils...".
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