Mt. Moosilauke (1912) - First Ski Ascent
". . . After I had long wished for an opportunity to climb Mt. Moosilauke on skis, the chance came when G.S. ("Eric") Foster '13 and I found that we were to have nearly a week off after finishing our mid-year examinations. As the time drew near, we worked out the route which we expected to take, carefully examined our skis for any defects in straps or wood, and then loaded up a pack bag with all the necessaries. At last our exams were over, and on the last day of January 1912 we strapped on our skis for the start. . . .
We had our supper at Warren, where everyone took a great interest in our skis, also telling us that it would be impossible to climb the mountain on them, since it had never been done before. After supper we covered the five miles on skis to Mr. Eastman's at the foot of Mt. Moosilauke, under a fine, full moon.
The next morning we got away at quarter past nine, and after covering about a mile, we came to the road which led to the top. As nobody had climbed the mountain before us during the winter, the snow was unbroken, lying deep and loose. Soon the climbing became so steep that we had to wind straps around our skis to keep from slipping backwards.
Although this made it slower going, we had no trouble walking straight up the road. In about three and a half hours, we reached the tree line where the road strikes the ridge leading to the highest peak about a mile away. A heavy gale was blowing, which caused our windward sides to become incased with ice, as our clothes were soaked with perspiration. As we climbed higher, we got into the clouds, which consisted of snow, the blizzard making it impossible to see more than thirty yards.
Finally at quarter after one we reached the Tip Top House, and rested in the lee of it while we ate some of our lunch. We soon commenced to stiffen up on account of the intense cold, and accordingly decided to start back. At times, one of us would start sliding down the mountain side through the inability of our skis to cling to the icy crust. When we reached tree line it became fine going, and in numerous places where there would be a long steep straightaway, or gradual curves, we would attain terrific speed only to be thrown at some sharp curve or oxbow.
To watch each other come tearing down was certainly a sight, for when we tumbled, the snow, being very light, would spurt high into the air. Now and then one of us would take a "header" and practically his whole body would disappear from sight, merely the ends of his legs and skis showing. So we continued down to Eastman's, where we stopped to warm up, then hastening down to Warren, we covered the five miles in an hour. Here we stopped overnight at the Riverside House. . . ."
From "Cross Country on Skis to Mt. Moosilauke" by Carl E. Shumway (D'13), Dartmouth Out o' Doors, edited by Fred H. Harris, 1913.
