We know Blakiston was aware of the Crows Nest Pass because as you can see a trail was marked on his map but in his own words:
By report of the natives it is a bad road and seldom used.
The answer seems to be just a classic case of misunderstanding:
To the Indians:
A good road was one that was free of fallen timber (which made walking very difficult) while a slope meant nothing.
But to Blakiston:
Looking for a possible railway route the slope was what was important. Windfall could be cleared away.
The result:
It would be 15 years before Europeans would travel the Crowsnest Pass - a perfect pass for a railway with no mountain to go over.
Yes! Communication is Important.
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Thomas Blakiston in Japan