AdAmAn Club celebrates 100th anniversary

Courtesy of Michael Maio,

Manitou Springs Heritage Center and Museum

The date was Dec. 22, 1922. Five Colorado Springs men, later known as the “The Frozen Five,” decided to attempt something unique and unprecedented in the history of the Pikes Peak region. The men would climb the snowy and icy slopes of Pikes Peak on New Year’s Eve and launch fireworks.

The moment marked the beginning of a holiday tradition that thousands of spectators throughout the region follow each year.

In celebration, the Manitou Springs Heritage Center and Museum and the Pikes Peak AdAmAn Club are proud to present “The Pikes Peak AdAmAn Club’s 100th Anniversary Exhibit” and to announce the release of the club’s new book, “AdAmAn: One Hundred Years of Ice, Wind, and Fire.”

The book, which is available at the Heritage Center, captures the spirit and perseverance of the club’s intrepid group of climbers over the past century. Since its inaugural climb on New Year’s Eve in 1922, the club has added a new member each year (add a man) and has selected 104 members.

The “A”s in the club’s name and logo signify the mountains, and its membership list reads like a “Who’s Who” of Manitou Springs.

During the early days, members would light the wick of the fireworks before taking cover under metal bowl-like structures on the peak’s summit. The museum’s exhibit features mortars used to launch the fireworks and a control panel club members used in later years to safely ignite the fireworks show.

The exhibit also includes a canvas backpack used by member Don Lawrie (AdAmAn member No. 23) and a burka, face mask and goggles loaned by AdAmAn member Don Sanborn (No. 85). Another unusual artifact is the AdAmAn volleyball the members used to play their annual volleyball game on the summit of Pikes Peak.

The celebration will also feature several presentations at the museum, starting with “The Women of the AdAmAn Club” at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Manitou Springs Mayor John Graham (No. 59) will discuss the women of the AdAmAn Club, including his wife, Sue Graham (No. 79), the first woman to join the club.

Sue Graham has scaled 19 Colorado Fourteeners and served as unofficial spokesperson for the club. The talk will also feature several other women who have braved the ascent each year.

At 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, Donald Sanborn will present “The History of the AdAmAn Club” and recount the challenges members face as they brave the snow, ice and bitter cold each New Year’s Eve during their trek to the top of America’s Mountain.

The programming continues at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, with local historian and author Eric Swab’s presentation of “Fred Barr: Pikes Peak Entrepreneur.” As one of the original “Frozen Five” founding members of the AdAmAn Club, Barr holds an iconic place in the eyes of the club’s members.

Each year, thousands of runners and hikers enjoy Barr Trail up to the summit of Pike’s Peak. It’s hard to think of anyone else who has had a larger and longer-lasting impact in our community.

Programming concludes at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, with the “100th Anniversary of the AdAmAn Club” presentation by Dan Stuart (No. 82).

The Heritage Center, 517 Manitou Ave., is open noon-4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Information: www.manitouspringsheritagecenter.org or 719-685-2453.