Philip S. Abbot was considered an experienced mountain climber, in the United States; one who had made expeditions to the Alps and ascended the Matterhorn and Weisshorn; with Swiss guide Peter Sarbach. In 1893, Philip S. Abbot published, An Ascent of the Weisshorn. In 1895, with Professor Charles Ernest Fay of Tufts College, and Charles Sproull Thompson, General Agent for the Illinois Central Railroad, the three climbers failed in two ascents of Mount Lefroy in the Bow Range near Lake Louise, Alberta; but managed to make the first Ascent of Mt. Hector. The next year, Professor George Little, Librarian of Bowdoin joined the trio for the 1896 Expedition.