New Year Fireworks Off Pikes Peak — The AdAmAn Club

Pikes Peak Fireworks and the AdAmAn Club

Have you ever wondered how the local tradition of lighting fireworks off Pikes Peak at midnight got started? For over a century, a crew of brave mountaineering mavericks have made their way to the summit on foot on New Year’s Eve to create a light show for celebrants all throughout the Pikes Peak region. Their name? The AdAmAn Club. Their mission? To carry on the tradition of the “Frozen Five,” and bring a little brightness to each New Year.  Read on to learn more about the “Frozen Five,” the AdAmAn Club and what you can expect to see on New Year’s Eve.

December 1922: A Pikes Peak Tradition is Born

Plenty of people had summitted Pikes Peak by the time the winter of 1922 had begun, but very few ever embraced the folly of attempting the ascent during the snowy season. Rightfully so, considering that early residents weren’t exactly trained or outfitted for mountaineering. Even today we don’t advise that anyone hike Pikes Peak in the winter. It is simply too dangerous and unpredictable. Enter the “Frozen Five,” a group with no qualms about tackling the mountain, no matter the conditions.

A Tale of Two Origins

Like any great legend, the tale of the ascent that became a tradition is a messy mixture of half-truths, proven facts and good storytelling. The most favored narration is that local mountaineers (and future trespassers) Fred Morath, Fred Barr, Willis Magee, Ed Morath and Harry Standley decided to make one of their favorite climbs in the middle of winter — Dec. 31, 1922. The brothers (yes, Ed and Fred) had made the hike many times before. It was, however, the first time they picked up flares, broke into the Summit House and subsequently started a bonfire on the peak. 

Thus, from crime, a tradition was born. Or was it? It is a delightfully mischievous story that certainly fits our pioneer narrative. As far as accuracy goes, this beloved version is mostly a fairytale with regard to 1922. For those horribly disappointed in the lack of scandal, you can take comfort in knowing that the breaking and entering and arson likely did occur. It just wasn’t on the date in question.

The Truth in Between

Local historians have since traced the story to a slightly less criminal origin. Per the official AdAmAn website, the group of five did get permission on that particular eve. They hauled a fair bit of sparkly, explosive fireworks with them to the top. The maniacs—er, men—trekked their way to the summit in sub-zero temperatures and a blizzard, following the Cog Railway tracks. At 9 p.m. that evening, the gentlemen fired off a celebratory green “we’re not dead yet” rocket. They wanted to let Colorado Springs residents know they would be spared the chore of chipping a literal frozen five out of the ice the next day. At midnight, they lit the rest of their pile of fireworks off Pikes Peak during and after yet another blizzard, creating a new tradition that endures to this day. 

Over a Century of AdAmAn Excellence

When the Frozen Five completed the journey, they returned to a delighted community and much celebration. They decided to make it an official annual event with a club to support it — the AdAmAn Club. The premise behind the name was that each year the club would add just one new member. The club designed the fun capitalization of each letter A to give the impression of mountains. Today, AdAmAn has 30 members who make the trek with a select group of invited guests. And yes, they still add a new member each year. 

If you happen to be in downtown Colorado Springs, you will see just how enduring the legend of the club has become. A large art installation spans the alley beside the Hibbard Building on Tejon Street just south of Pikes Peak Avenue. It features a silhouette of five climbers and plays across the backdrop of the very real Pikes Peak when viewing it from AdAmAn Alley. You can find beautiful art related to the tradition around the alley. Check out this Downtown Partnership link for a visual guide, map and information on the AdAmAn artists. It’s a small tradition that is a big reason to smile.

How to Watch the Fireworks Off Pikes Peak

You can begin your plan to watch the fireworks with a fervent wish that the clouds will stay clear. From there it’s as simple as finding an uninterrupted view of Pikes Peak. Turn your eyes westward at 11 a.m. for another AdAmAn tradition — the shining of the mirrors. As the brave hikers summit the peak, they pause at 11 a.m. and use mirrors to reflect sunlight and flash signals to the people of Colorado Springs. Citizens also like to use their own mirrors to signal back. It’s really quite cool. If you can step out at 11 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, you’ll get a chance to see it for yourself!

After the mirror rest stop, the club gets back on the trail to prepare for the midnight show. Viewers can spot the fireworks as far out as the eastern plains if the weather is clear. Some people like to park near Garden of the Gods. Others park along some of the higher backroads for a view that is uninterrupted by city lights. Others may journey to places like Cripple Creek to catch a whole new view of the spectacle. If you have binoculars, you can catch great glimpses that make you feel close to the action. 

Be sure to cast your eyes to the peak at 9 p.m., too. In honor of the original AdAmAn Club “we’re still alive’” flare launched on the inaugural journey, modern-day AdAfolks still launch a few fireworks at the same hour to let everyone know that all is well.

Happy New Year!

We hope that you have found the history of this uniquely Colorado tradition of launching fireworks off Pikes Peak as fascinating as we did. If you want to learn even more, you can buy a book called AdAmAn: 100 Years of Ice, Wind and Fire at the Manitou Springs Heritage Center in historic Manitou Springs or online at ManitouMade.com. When you watch the fireworks bursting on Pikes Peak this year, you will be a part of a century of dedication and epic adventure. In closing, we would like to wish everyone an incredibly happy New Year. We hope your year is filled with love and peace and prosperity in all the ways that matter.