The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-05-07
Daring Woman At
tackS the 1000
Foot Climb
The Second Party to Reach
Summit a Climb Worthy
Of the Most Expert
MOuntanier

Rock.
Mrs. Smith, together with her hus.
band, Captain F. ], Smith. Fred Kiser.
Oscar Kiser. Harlan Wentworth and
"a w. Emerson made the ascent on
Sunday morning in the face OF a
steady down pour OF rain snow and
hail that drenchod every member OF
the party long before they had accom-.
pllshed the object Of their perilous
climb.
Castle Rock, or Beacon Rock, as Il
was named by Lewis and Clark. IL
ii46 feet high and was scaled for the
first time on August "a, 1901. when
Captain Smith, George Purser and
Charles Church. age N. reached the
top, facing almost certain death 10 &C.
complish tho feat. An idea may be
had from the dangers encountered on
the historic climb from the manner In
which n SOfoot overhanging was
scaled. AZ a height OF $50 feet the
party was forced TO stop by the wall.
which lowered out over yawning
chasmand directly In front OF their
course. At first II seemed impossible
20 overcome this obstacle, but 10.
turning to the base OF the rock the de
termined men brought drills, ham.
mers. long iron pins and rope. A
human ladder was then formed, young
Church standing on the narrow ledge
supporting Purser on his shoulders.
Captain Smith was raised 70 Purser'a
shoulders and not then being high
enough up 20 drive the drill into tho
rock at an advantageous spot, stood
on Pursers head while he performed
the job. then raising himself. by aid
OF the drlll. he gained footing on n
narrow ledge and lowered the rope
10 his companions. who soon mounted
the top OF the wall. Before they left.
three iron pins were fixed securely
In the rock and the rope secured AZ
the top. making the hazardous climb
less dlfhoult
The party left Portland Saturday
evening over the O. II. a n. aud stop.
ped az the home Of the Klser brothers
at Columbia Beach. The following
morning were greeted by a heavy rain
storm, and having vainly waited until
Q o'clock for the storm 20 subside. the
climbers decided 10 walt no longer.
but TO begin the ascent as soon as
possible, A sallboat transported the
party over the river. and led by Cap.
tain Smith. who was familiar with the
only trail that led "a the top OF the
mountain, up the slippery and peril
Gus ascent the enthusiastic climbers
weDded their way
Misses Georgia Carter aud Edith
Tyler. who aeomcpanied the party.
climbed 10 a height Of 800 feet TO a
point known as Devils ledge. where
they decided not 10 continue the as.
cent All wore tennis shoes to insure
a safe foothold. the women being al.
tired In short skirts and bloomers
The incessant downpour made the
soil and rock slippery and many a
foot Of the steep incline was climbed
second time as a result of a back.
ward step The 3O-foot clir was nnal
~ reached and In ~ minutes the
party had done the handoyer,hand
sailor stunt up the lifeline and con.
tinued the climb.
Ten feet from the summit OF the
rock a wedge-liks ledge must be
walked for 80 feet IN order 10 reach
tho base Of the little pinnacle that is
the highest point on Castle Rock. A
miastep or slip here would send the
enthusiast down ll3e feet into the
depths OF the Columbia
During the entire ascent of the ba
saltic pillar Mrs. Smith followed
closely behind her haaband. and when
some difhcult scramble would be en-
counterod, the Captain found his wife
al the summit nearly a. soon a. him.
self. At MT time ala she need assist.
ance. preceding him down the lifo
rope when making the descent
An hour and ~ minutes were con.
sumed In the ascent and fs minutes
IN the descent. a very quick record.
under the circumstances.
The trip. which was really made on
account of Mrs.. Smiths desire 20
scale the pinnacle, viii be q memof.
Ablo ono In the history u the colum.
biA nysr. Captain Smith 10 very much |
slated oTer his wifs's uaecess IN
,nnbins ne rock tAaa - - nFes