Early American Ascents

Publication Year: 1947.

Early American Ascents. In the Führerbuch of Christian Aimer, which contains extensive records of Meta Claudia Brevoort and W. A. B. Coolidge through the period from 30 July 1868 to 1 August 1884, one finds the following additional notes:

Christian Aimer has brought us quite safely and pleasantly over the Strahleck. Beginners in such work, we can only record our gratitude for his care and attention.

Lewis B. Hall, Albany, N. Y.

J. S. Bigelow, Boston

Grimsel, Aug. 13, 1870

Since writing the preceding page, Christian Aimer has been my sole guide over the Oberaarjoch, also to the Oberaarhorn, to the Jungfrau (snow very heavy) and the next day to the Finsteraarhorn (the mountain being dangerous from new snow). In all cases I have found him perfectly safe, cautious and capable.

Lewis B. Hall

Since going over the Strahleck pass with Aimer, I have had him as my guide at Zermatt—he has taken me up the Cima di Jazi, & the St. Théodule pass and I can only repeat what I have said on a former page as to his entire capability as guide for any mountain or pass in Switzerland.

J. S. Bigelow

Sept. 10, 1870

Christian Aimer has been with us from Visp and Zermatt over the Pass St. Théodule and Col du Géant to Chamonix and over the Tête Noire, and I have found him a most competent and kindly guide, and pleasant companion.

E. Pierson Beebe, Boston

Martigny, 15 September, 1870

Eggischorn, Aug. 11, 1877. Christian Aimer has made the ascent of the Jungfrau & Finsteraarhorn as guide to Wm. H. Hunt of Concord, Mass., & the undersigned. Sufficient has already been written to establish his fame as a guide—we, as are all who have to do with him, were perfectly satisfied in all respects (A very complete contrast to Aimer is his colleague D. Inabnit, who is altogether too weak to undertake such tours, & has not the same fine character as Aimer). The ascent of the Finsteraarhorn was made from the new Faulberg Hütte in 5 hours with Aimer alone, & too much cannot be said in praise of his conduct through the entire affair.

Theodore Baker, Concord, Mass.

The Visitors’ Books at the Nesthorn-Bietschhorn Hotel at Ried (A. J.,55, 262) contain the following:

Sept. 4, 1869. Stephen W. Early, of Brooklyn, coming from Macugnaga via the Eggishorn, and leaving to cross the Petersgrat to Interlaken.

Sept. 9, 1870. Franklyn Taylor and his three young sons with Ulrich Lauener, over the Petersgrat to Ried.

J. M. T.