Volume 3, No. 31 August 1, 2003
Holmes scales new peaks On Aug. 5, 1858, Julia Archibald Holmes became the first woman on record to reach the summit of Pike’s Peak. She, her husband James Holmes and two others began their trek Aug. 1. For the ascent, Julia Holmes wore what she called her “American costume” — a short dress, bloomers, moccasins and a hat. She kept a journal in which she wrote, “I have accomplished the task which I marked out for myself … Nearly everyone tried to discourage me from attempting it, but I believed that I should succeed.” Pike’s Peak takes its name from Lieutenant Zebulon Pike, who, 50 years prior to Holmes ascent, led an expedition to reconnaissance the southwestern boundary of the Louisiana Purchase. After a frustrated attempt to climb to its top, he declared the peak “impossible” to ascend. Today, Pike’s Peak is easy to access by trail, railroad or car. Located in the southeastern corner of the Pike National Forest, it ranks 32nd in altitude (14,110 feet) among Colorado’s numerous peaks. Compiled by liberal arts professor Weihua Zhang from the Library of Congress Web site.
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