Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostClimbers from left to right: Lance Stark, his son Luke Stark, Britt Jones, and Bob Sommers, right, look out over AdAmAn Point near Barr Camp after completing the first day of the AdAmAn Club's annual hike up Pikes Peak on Dec. 30, 2019 on Pikes Peak in the Pike National Forest near Manitou Springs.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostClimber Mark Szabo, center, hugs Nick Baki, right, outside of Barr Camp before climbers head out to make the push for the summit during the annual AdAmAn's club hike up Pikes Peak on Dec. 31, 2019. The yearly climb is meaningful to climbers so when they can't make it for certain reasons it can be quite emotional. Baki and two other climbers were forced to head back down to Manitou Springs because of sickness and were unable to complete their annual climb.- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFrom left to right, Ted Lindeman, his brother Carl, Lance Stark, and Phil Stafford, right, drink warm cups of coffee inside Barr Camp after completing the first day of the AdAmAn Club's annual hike up Pikes Peak on Dec. 30, 2019 on Pikes Peak in the Pike National Forest near Manitou Springs. The group makes their annual AdAmAn ascent of Pikes Peak to put on the yearly New Year fireworks display from the summit of the mountain. This is the group's 98th hike up the peak.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostBoots dry out near the fire inside Barr Camp after the climbers completed the first day of the AdAmAn Club's annual hike up Pikes Peak on Dec. 30, 2019.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostClimber David Artusi reads by headlamp against frozen windows inside Barr Camp after he and other climbers completed the first day of the AdAmAn Club's annual hike up Pikes Peak on Dec. 30, 2019.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostClimbers Scott Smetana, left, and Britt Jones chat as they warm up inside Barr Camp after completing the first day of the AdAmAn Club's annual hike up Pikes Peak on Dec. 30, 2019.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostClimbers head out from Barr Camp towards Barr Trail to finish the annual AdAmAn's club hike up Pikes Peak on Dec. 31, 2019.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostBraving cold temperatures, wind gusts of 20 mph and 2-3 foot deep snow pack, Priscilla Clayton, third from right in yellow jacket, and other climbers with the AdAmAn Club make their way up Barr Trail on Pikes Peak on their way to the 14,115 foot summit on Dec. 31, 2019. The group makes their ascent of Pikes Peak to put on the New Year fireworks display from the summit of the mountain. This is the group's 98th hike up the peak.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostChris Mattingly, left, and Cindy Bowles behind him, and other climbers make their way along a steep snowy trail along the Barr trail as they head towards the summit during the annual AdAmAn's club annual hike up Pikes Peak on Dec. 31, 2019 on Pikes Peak in the Pike National Forest near Manitou Springs.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostKeeping his head down against wind gusts of 20 mph, climber Mike Reeder carefully makes his way along a steep snow covered trail as he head towards the summit of Pikes Peak on the Barr trail during the annual AdAmAn's club annual hike up Pikes Peak on Dec. 31, 2019 on Pikes Peak in the Pike National Forest near Manitou Springs. The group makes their annual AdAmAn ascent of Pikes Peak.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostClimbers carefully walk along a ridge line in ankle deep snow as they near the summit of Pikes Peak on the Barr trail during the annual AdAmAn's club annual hike up Pikes Peak on Dec. 31, 2019 on Pikes Peak in the Pike National Forest near Manitou Springs. The group makes their annual AdAmAn ascent of Pikes Peak to put on the yearly New Year fireworks display from the summit of the mountain. This is the group's 98th hike up the peak.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostWith the reflection of Pikes Peak in his rose colored goggles Climber Dave Kosley looks towards the summit while hiking on the Barr trail during the annual AdAmAn's club annual hike up Pikes Peak on Dec. 31, 2019.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostClimbers carefully walk along the steep snow covered trail as they head towards the summit of Pikes Peak on the Barr trail during the annual AdAmAn's club annual hike up Pikes Peak on Dec. 31, 2019.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostClimbers Mark Szabo, left, Chris Mattingly, center, and Tom Lear, right, use signal mirrors to flash friends and family all the way down in Colorado Springs that they have arrived at the A-frame shelter along their hike up Barr trail on their way towards the summit during the annual AdAmAn's club hike up Pikes Peak on Dec. 31, 2019.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostTom Lear, right, looks towards the summit as he and other climbers carefully walk along a steep snow-filled embankment as they near the summit of Pikes Peak on the Barr trail during the annual AdAmAn's club annual hike up Pikes Peak on Dec. 31, 2019 on Pikes Peak in the Pike National Forest near Manitou Springs. The group makes their annual AdAmAn ascent of Pikes Peak to put on the yearly New Year fireworks display from the summit of the mountain. This is the group's 98th hike up the peak.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFireworks are shot into the air on the summit of Pikes Peak at exactly midnight by the AdAmAn Club on Jan. 1, 2020.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFireworks and flares are shot into the air on the summit of Pikes Peak at exactly midnight by the AdAmAn Club on Jan. 1, 2020.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
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Climbers from left to right: Lance Stark, his son Luke Stark, Britt Jones, and Bob Sommers, right, look out over AdAmAn Point near Barr Camp after completing the first day of the AdAmAn Club's annual hike up Pikes Peak on Dec. 30, 2019 on Pikes Peak in the Pike National Forest near Manitou Springs.
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By Helen H. Richardson | hrichardson@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
AdAmAn Club club started in 1922 with brothers Ed and Fred Morath. According to the group’s website “Five Colorado Springs men decided that, because the average social events of New year’s consisted of somewhat boring parties and dances, they would venture to do something unique and that no one had done before. They would climb Pikes Peak in the dead of winter on New Year’s Eve.