Long's Peak and Carrie Welton

From this viewpoint you can see Longs peak, at 14,259’ it’s the highest point in Rocky Mountain National Park. Its breathtaking views and challenging ascent attract adventurous mountaineers from across the country. However, reaching the peak is no easy task. The rigorous trails will exhaust you; the sun can burn you, and snowstorms can freeze you. Since opening in 1915 the National Park Services has recorded over seventy deaths on longs peak, making it Colorado’s deadliest peak. However, the case of adventurous 19th-century socialite Carrie Welton predates even Rocky Mountain National Park.

Carrie Welton, born in 1842 in Waterbury, Connecticut, became the first known woman to die on Longs Peak. Known for her kind heart and restless adventurous spirit, Carrie Welton was the only child of a wealthy family. Her father was a successful businessman and built a large estate in Waterbury where Carrie grew up. Her father gifted her a horse, Knight, which became Carries’ most beloved friend. From her home in Waterbury Carrie became involved with the ASPCA and would donate large sums to their organization. In 1874 after injuries sustained after being kicked by Knight, Welton’s father passed away. A few years later Knight would also pass away.

Heartbroken and grief-stricken, Welton left her hometown to seek adventure in the West. Her adventures took her to the Rocky Mountains, where she sought to prove herself as a mountaineer. Attracted to the area of Estes Park for its beautiful scenery and access to new and difficult mountains, she honed her skills as a mountaineer. After conquering Pikes Peak and other notable mountains in Colorado, Welton was determined to climb Longs Peak. She employed the help of a guide, the young Carlyle Lamb. Carlyle was the son of Elkanah Lamb, who was among the first mountaineers to set up guiding businesses in the area.

Departing from the Lamb’s cabin just before sunrise on September 23rd, 1884, Carrie and her guide began their trek up to Longs Peak. As the two approached the peak, they noticed a fierce snowstorm approaching. Carrie refused to submit to the storm and pressed on, successfully reaching the summit of Longs Peak. As the storm battered the exhausted hikers, they began their descent. However, as the duo crossed the ‘keyhole,’ Carrie showed signs of severe exhaustion. Carrie was unable to walk without assistance, but Carlyle quickly realized the incredible danger of their situation. It was about three in the afternoon, and the snowstorm showed no signs of letting up. Wrapping Carrie in his jacket and extra clothing to protect her from the vicious snowstorm, Carlyle sat her upright and quickly descended the mountain to get his father’s help.

Carlyle and his father would arrive at the keyhole at dawn the next day. Carrie Welton had already passed away from exhaustion and hypothermia. She had crawled about ten feet from where Carlyle had left her. In those few feet she crawled, she slipped and struck her head against a rock. News of her death spread quickly, and many blamed Carlyle for leaving her to descend the mountain. One journalist lambasted Carlyle as a “Cowardly Cur” for abandoning Carrie on the mountain. According to newspapers from the time period, the Lambs placed a granite slab at the site of her death, which states, “Here is the spot where Carrie J. Welton laid to rest and died alone, Sept. 23, 1884.” However, this granite slab is no longer present at the keyhole, and its location remains unknown. Carrie’s remains were brought down from the mountain, and she was buried in her hometown of Waterbury Connecticut.  

In her will, Carrie left over $150,000 to the ASPCA. After legal disputes over Carrie's will, the amount donated to the ASPCA was around $73,000. Over her lifetime, she would donate over $250,000 to the ASPCA. She also left $7,000 to her hometown of Waterbury to construct a fountain and life-size bronze statue of her beloved horse Knight. The statue and fountain are still present today. Carrie Welton was the first recorded white woman to die on Longs Peak. Her story is a grim reminder of the dangers that the Rocky Mountains present to even experienced and prepared adventurers. 

“Carrie Welton | Articles | Colorado Encyclopedia.” Accessed November 4, 2022. https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/carrie-welton.

“Fort Collins Courier November 5, 1885 — Colorado Historic

Newspapers Collection.” Accessed November 4, 2022.

https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=FCC18851105.2.5&srpos=147&e=-------en-20--141-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-Carrie+Welton-------0------.

“Fort Collins Courier October 9, 1884 — Colorado Historic

Newspapers Collection.” Accessed November 4, 2022.

https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=FCC18841009.2.33&srpos=16&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-carlyle+lamb-------0------.

“Leadville Daily Herald September 28, 1884 — Colorado Historic

Newspapers Collection.” Accessed November 4, 2022.

https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=LDH18840928.2.1&srpos=102&e=-------en-20--101-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-Carrie+Welton-------0------.

Mattatuck Museum. “Carrie Welton.” Accessed November 4, 2022. https://www.mattmuseum.org/carrie-welton/.