Prospecting, surveying, and studying mineralogy and general physics, he made explorations and first ascents in the Canadian Alps in 1897, 1899 and 1903. He participated in first ascents of the mountains Goodsir and Dawson in British Columbia, and of Hungabee, Deltaform, Biddle and Lefroy in Alberta. He made explorations of the Denali (Mount McKinley) region in Alaska in 1906, 1910 and 1912. He nearly succeeded in reaching the summit of the highest peak of Denali in 1912. In his 1912 attempt on Denali, he was accompanied by Belmore Browne. On an earlier attempt, he was accompanied by Frederick Cook.