Did Her Name Define Her Life’s Goals?

Why would a middle-aged gentlewoman from England set off alone to scale the backbone of the United States? After reading her account of the trip she took to a “Nameless Region of the Rocky Mountains” in 1873, I wondered how she developed such curiosity about far-away people and places.

Born in Yorkshire, England in 1831, Isabella Bird’s, father, an Anglican clergyman, was concerned about her health and recommended a sea voyage. Therefore, in her twenties she sailed to Prince Edward Island in Canada. Returning to Great Britain, she moved to the West Highlands of Scotland.  Still hoping to improve her fitness, she sailed to Hawaii in her 40’s. Continuing on to the West Coast of America, she traveled by train to the Colorado Territory where she developed a fascination with the beauty of Estes Park and the views of Longs Peak. Her letters to her sister, Henrietta, were so impressive that they became the nonfiction book, A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains.

A rugged pioneer, with a reputation for fighting, “Mountain Jim”, agreed to escort her to the summit of Longs Peak, which is 14,259’ above sea level. They rode horses, loaded with three days of supplies to the Notch, which was above tree line and gave them an astonishing view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. From there they hiked across the boulder field. Isabella later admitted, “Had I known that the ascent was a real mountaineering feat, I should not have felt the slightest ambition to perform it.” Crossing loose rock and ice, they ascended 2,000 feet to the exposed ledge which led to the final climb. The terrain was so precarious that Isabella had to be roped to Jim. Although she admitted to exhaustion, thirst and fear of death, they continued. The final 500 foot climb required them to stop every few steps to catch their breath.

Once on the summit, Isabella was impressed with unrivalled views and sheer drop-offs in every direction. After writing their names and dates in a tin can, they started their descent. Isabella was so exhausted when her frock caught on a rock, requiring Jim to cut the cloth to free her. She fell into a crevice full of snow and had to crawl on hands and knees until Jim could pull her up by her arms and a rope. When they finally reached the campsite where their horses were being tended, Jim insisted that they spend the night before riding down the steep trail through dense forests. Isabelle concluded, “Let no practical mountaineer be allured by my description into the ascent of Longs Peak, truly terrible as it was to me.”

I do wonder if Isabella Bird was born with more courage than most women of her time, or did she develop it during this extraordinary feat. Also, did she have any idea that the first man known to reach the summit was John Wesley Powell in 1868? The only woman to make the climb before Isabella Bird was Addie Alexander in 1871.

In my fictional account of indigenous people who existed in North America since 8,000 years B.C., there is evidence that some tribes climbed the Rocky Mountains in order to find eagle feathers, and hunted big game with the assistance of rock walls and hunting blinds. Since the earliest people were likely to have been the first to stand at the top of Longs Peak, we must depend on archeologists to find proof of their triumph.

Currently, visitors to Estes Park can choose to dine at Bird and Jim’s Restaurant located at 915 Moraine Ave. While eating locally sourced, healthy meals you can contemplate the life of this female explorer. I believe her name and intense curiosity, prompted her adventures.

Is there a daring trip in your future?