Cheyenne Wells record., 1922-11-30
6Denrer- Tourist ~,sai <zkhIcffn bureau

had started rescue party and had toted wooa
up from Tmber-Line and had lighted relay hrea
"But had found a way to The Summit The
next morning we angled to the left rs we ap
preached The Notch and finally came out on The
Homestretch Of the present trail. All seven OF
us were then soon on The Summit. After tne
first thrills were over we searched for signs OF
previous human visitation and found none. we
built carn and left record. Maj. j. w. Powell
later Of Grand Canyon fame. made a little speech
Il climbed Longs the second time eight years age
over the present trai-and had to smile at the
difference"
The late Edna Louise Smith Of Aurora, H.
whose life Of philanthropic accomplishment was
prematurely cut short last spring in IN automobile
crossing accident, was an ardent end able noun
taneer. She ascended Longs Peak many times,
One ascent was made at night In August OF 1919
under such unusual conditions that the National
Park Service requested her to write an account
for use in its booklets. Her story Is Rocky
Mountain National Park classic. She and thres
women companions, with Shep Hus:ed as guide
started from Tahosa Valley (9.000) at II p. m. IN
a heavy fog and halfrain. Her story includes the
following: :, (.
"After a short climb were in another wefI3
The fog was a sea Of silvery clouds below US and
from 1t the mountains rose like islandA The
moon and stars were bright in the heavens There
was the sparkle In the air that suggests enchanted
lands and fairies Half way to Timber-Line We
came upon ground white with snow. which made
1t seem all the more likely that Christmas pixies
lust within the shadows Of the pines might dance
forth on a moonbeam.
"Aboye Timber-L Line there was no snow, but the
moonlight was brilliant that the clouds far be.
low were shining like misty lakes and even thu
hare mouptainside about us looked almost -
white as II snow-covered.
.At the western edge Of Boulder Field there was
. new marvel AZ we approached Keyhole right
in the center Of that curious nick In the rim Of
Boulder Field shone the great golden moon. Ths
vast shadow Of the peak, made doubly dark hy
the contrast, made NJ very silent. When We
emerged from Keyhole and looked down into the
Glacier Gorge beyond It was hard to breathe bo-
cause of the wonder Of It ALL The moon was
aiming down into the great gorge q thousand feet
below and 1t was filled with Q silvery glow. The
lakes Rlimmered In the moonlight.
"Climbing along the narrow ledge, high above
this tremendous gorge. was like a dream. Not
breath Of air stirred and the only sound was the
crunch of hobnails on rock. There was a supreme
hush in the air. as II something tremendous were
about to happen
"suddenly the sky, which had been the far-on
blue Of n noonlIt night, flushed with the softest
amethyst and rose, and the stars loomed large
and intimately near. burning like lamps with
lavender emerald. sapphire and topaz lights The
moon had set and the stars were supreme.
"As we made our way along The Narows the
drama of that days dawn proceeded with kalei-
doscoplc speed. Over the plains. apparently with
ont end was a sea Of bilowy Clouds sh!mmerins
with golden and pearly lights. Ono mountain
close by the rosy glow that now filled all the sky.
Every peak far and near. bore fresh crown Of
new snow and each stood out distinct and indi-
yidual. Arapahoe Peak held the eye long Toersya
Peak and Grays Peak were especially beautsul.
And far away, q hundred miles to the south
loomed up the summit Of Pixies Peak.
~Such q scene could last but . short TINA ApA
Il was well for us for the moments were TOO
crowded with sensations to be long borne Sooo
the sun burst up from the ocean Of clouds below.
On The summit all was bright and warm. And
In the bright sunlight Of the new day We wondsrs6
whether We had sssn Q reality or q visioo."