In August 1911, a Texas couple set out to conquer one of America’s most famous mountains. What began as an ambitious afternoon hike up Pike’s Peak ended in tragedy when a sudden snowstorm swept across the summit, bringing fierce winds, blinding snow, and deadly cold.
According to newspaper accounts, W.F. Skinner and his wife had nearly reached the top when the weather turned against them.
Earlier in the day, Skinner reportedly expressed doubts about making the climb, but his wife was determined. “I’m from Texas,” she declared, “and they’re not going to say, when I get back, that I could not climb Pike’s Peak.”
Hours later, the mountain delivered a harsh reminder that determination alone is no match for nature.
When rescuers finally found the couple, their bodies lay side by side in the snow near a large boulder where they had apparently sought shelter from the storm. The scene was haunting. Skinner rested on his back with his hands folded across his chest, while his wife sat nearby, her head bowed into her hands. Snow had already begun to cover them both.
Couple Frozen on Pike’s Peak
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado. — W.F. Skinner and wife of Dallas, Texas, were frozen to death near the summit of Pike’s Peak. Their bodies, almost covered with snow, were found side by side by a boy walking down the peak.
Skinner and his wife started to walk to the top of the peak early yesterday afternoon and stopped at the office of the Pike’s Peak News, about three miles above the Halfway House, to register. At that time, Skinner, who was about 55 years old, doubted their ability to reach the top of the mountain. Mrs. Skinner, who was about 10 years younger than her husband, is reported to have made the remark:
“I’m from Texas, and they’re not going to say, when I get back, that I could not climb Pike’s Peak.”
At about 7 o’clock last night a severe snowstorm, which covered the entire to a depth of a foot on the level, accompanied by a 50 mile an hour wind, broke upon the peak. From the positions of the bodies when found, it is believed the couple sought comparative shelter in the lee of a huge boulder, but a short distance from the track.
Skinner was found lying flat on his back, with his hands folded on his chest, his wife was in a sitting posture with her head clasped in her hands and bowed on her knees.
Source: The San Francisco Call. San Francisco, Calif. August 23, 1911.
