In 1922, two brothers named Ed and Fred Morath decided to climb Barr Trail on December 31st and shoot off fireworks from the summit of Pikes Peak. Sensing the historical significance of the event, they also took along three of their friends: photographer Harry Standley, banker Willis McGee and the trail builder himself, Fred Barr. This was the first winter ascent of Pikes Peak and has since become an annual tradition.
The First Ascent of Pikes Peak on New Year’s Eve. Photograph by Harry Standley, Courtesy of Special Collections, Pikes Peak Library District
At first, they referred to themselves as the Frozen Five, but at the suggestion of one of the members on the climb, they decided to add one more person to the group each year. This action then gave them the new moniker of the AdAmAn club.
Though restricted only to men for most of its history, they opened their doors to women in 1997.
To this day, the AdAmAn club ushers in each new year with a barrage of fireworks from the frozen top of Pikes Peak.