Happy New Year!

There is a wonderful tradition that is carried on here in the Pikes Peak region on this night. It's one that I look forward to each year because it's unique. It is all to honor the original "frozen five" from 1922.

You see, in 1922, five men decided that the standard social parties and affairs for New Year's Eve were just too boring. The opted to do something that nobody had ever done before: climb Pikes Peak in the dead of winter. These men were Fred and Ed Morath, Fred Barr, Willis Magee and Harry Standley. We now have a trail named after Fred Barr on that mountain...due, in part, to the fact he actually built the Barr Trail. This happens to be the trail that is still in use on this night, though these original men used the Cog Railway trail. It may be shorter by 3 miles, but it is also extremely steep, slippery, and dangerous.

Anyway, these men took off and climbed to the top of the 14,110 foot mountain in minimal cold weather gear. That stuff just didn't exist in 1922! They eventually made it up through the deep, deep snow drifts and pushed through the high winds to the summit house. Inside, they lit a fire in the potbellied stove to warm up, sang songs, ate, and goofed around until midnight. At that time they lit flares and other fireworks for the city of Colorado Springs to see. It freaked the people of the city out that night, but it began a wonderful tradition.


1923 saw the beginning of the Adaman club. Each year the club adds only one man to the club (Adaman = add a man), sets off on the 30th of December, no matter the weather, on the Barr Trail to the summit of this great mountain. They camp overnight about halfway up and make the summit usually around 2 or 3pm on New Year's Eve. Then they warm up, eat, goof around, set off 5 shells at 9pm to honor the Frozen Five, and wait for the stroke of midnight. At that time, they entertain all of the area with a fantastic display of fireworks.


Bearing in mind we are approximately 40 miles from Pikes Peak, we actually have an amazing view. In all actuality, the past 2 year you could see the fireworks for about 150 miles! Wow! Tonight? Well, if the clouds remain as mountain wave clouds (meaning they don't actually lay on the peaks, but leave a wave of clear sky over them), we'll be able to see them again. I hope so, because it's an amazing thing! It's a tradition that I absolutely love, and I hope others in the area appreciate it as much as I do.

I hope and pray that all of you have a wonderful and safe night. May you have a fantastic 2009 with nothing but fond memories from 2008. Happy New Year!