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first ascent by white men was made July 14, 

 1 8 19, by members of Lieutenant Long's explor- 

 ing expedition. For a number of years this 

 peak was called James Peak, in honor of the 

 naturalist in the Long exploring party. 



Pike's Peak has what Montesquieu calls the 

 "most powerful of all empires, the empire of 

 climate." It stands most of the time in the sun. 

 All over it the miner and the prospector have 

 searched for gold, mutilating it here and there 

 with holes. Fires have scarred the sides, and 

 pasturing has robbed it of flowers and verdure. 

 The reputed discovery of gold at its base started 

 a flood of gold-seekers west with "Pike's Peak 

 or bust " enthusiasm. But the climate and scen- 

 ery of this peak attract people who come for 

 pleasure and to seek for health. It has thus 

 brought millions of dollars into Colorado, and 

 it will probably continue to attract people who 

 seek pleasure and refreshment and who receive 

 in exchange higher values than they spend. 

 Pike's Peak is a rich asset. 



The summit of Pike's Peak is an excellent 

 place to study the effect of altitude upon low- 



302 



