The herald., 1897-06-08
PECK'S PEAKS
A Lady Who Dotes on
Dizzy Heights
SHE OvERCAME ORIZABA
AND STOOD ON THE TOP OF
PoPoCATEPETL
Men Gave Out, but Miss Peck Trod
On, and "Excelsiorw She
Cries Once More

Miss Annie S. Peck, the greatest wo.
man mountain climber in the world, was
in the city yesterday on her way home
ing the most venturesome feat in her
career in making the ascent of the Mex
lean mountains, Popocatepetl and Oriza-
ba. Miss Peck first attained prominence
as mountaineer when she ascended the
heights of the Matterhorn in Switzer-
land, the most difficult ascent in the
Alps. Miss Peck enjoys the distinction
of being the third woman who succeed
ed in safely returning from it's summit
Her more recent achievements with
the precipitous mountains Of the torrid
zone in Mexico are Of even greater in
terest than her experiences in Switzer-
land. Miss Peck is special correspond
ent for the New York World, and made
the trip to Mexico in the interests of
that journal.
The intrepid climber was seen at the
Van Nuys yesterday before leaving for
San Diego and related some of her ex-
periences on the Mexico trip. Miss Peck
said: II climb mountains because love
to do 1t. There is excitement in achiev-
ing feats that no one else has succeeded
in accomplishing and satisfaction in
reaching goal which is separated from
you by dangers and difficulties Then
the scenery and the view one gets from
standing on a high mountain is recon-
pense for all the energy which is ex-
pended in reaching the summit.
There is a fascination in Drawing the
dangers of the Alps and scaling their
lofty pyramids of rock and snow which
is indisputable. Every moment of such
climbing is a pleasure to the hour when
one returns triumphant and happy even
though weary and footsore. But noun.
tain climbing in the torrid zone is quite
another thing. The day after my own
ascent of that grand old pyramid Popo-
catepetl declared with the utmost sin
cerity that should like to do it again
the next week, but after returning from
the summit was convinced that once
was enough
There is too much drudgery and too
little excitement in climbing mountains
of the torrid zone to compensate most
persons for the moderate amount of
enjoyment to be extracted from the
most successfur ascent, and now tha.
the peak of Orizaba has been surmount-
ed the heights which lie under tropical
sun will have no more temptations for
me. I prefer to risk my neck on the rug
ged peaks of the Canadian rockies, or
the ice-clad slopes of Norway and Swift
zerland, rather than endure the tedious
ness and long uncomfortableness of an
ascent to higher attitudes in the torrid
zone.
'It was with some trepidation that
made plans for the ascent of Popo-
catepetl started out with five Indians
and a Mexican. The first part of the trip
was made on horseback. The real climb
began at Las Cruces. I started at
very moderate pace, making frequent
halts as zigzagged UP that long snowy
incline, first over black volcanic sand
and then across fields of snow. At last
I reached the crater, which is really a
splendid sight. 1t has almost perpen-
ddcular walls which rise to height Of
from five hundred to a thousand feet
The miners here are let down to procure
the sulphur by means of bucket and
windlass. I was fortunate in having a
fine view-exceptionally clear for the
season. My guide informed me that in
reached the summit of Mt. Popocatepetl
have achieved in mountain
climbing that which no other
woman has ever done. am fully sat-
isfied with the expedition. although ]
confess that I am not anxious to re-
peat it. for time, at least.
While In Mexico my highest ambi-
tion was to conquer the heights Of Mt
Orizaba, 1890 feet above sea level. and
500 feet higher than Mt. Popocatepetl.
left the City of Mexico on the 9th of
last April This was the hardest climb
that have ever made. All the violen:
exertion of the trip was made under
the hot sun of a torridl climate, making
one beware of sunstroke. AS we neared
the summit the atmosphere was so very
light that we proceeded with difficulty !
After taking ten or a dozen steps we
were compelled to stop and rest Two
men who were in the party gave out
before they reached the summit, and |
waited until the rest of US returned
The descent was the hardest part of the
journey. but we reached the bottom at
last.
Nov that I have climbed the highest
in Mexico do not know where
shall go next. I do not think that I
shall do any more climbing in the torrid
zone, however"
Miss Peck is not a woman of remarka-
bic proportions. but she is possessed of
wonderful vitality. "The secret of NV |
success in mountain climbing" she said |
'is good heart. strong pair of lungs |
and plenty of determination