Allan Ormsbee summit plaque

[MtnMagic]

Allan Ormsbee, 28, Brooklyn, NY, died June 30, 1900 of hypotermia on the rockpile. The Lakes of the Clouds Hut was constructed because of his and other deaths. I remember seeing a dedication plaque somewhere near the Obs. Could someone kindly elaborate where it is? Thank you in advance!

[MtnMagic]

It is a death marker not a plaque that is near the summit.

[FisherCat]

I remember only seeing the Curtis marker when I was a kid in the 70's. My neighbor from Jefferson showed it to me. The Ormsbee can only be found, if its still there,, by "mowing the lawn" as it were. It's not far off the summit, from a bird's eye view its a W-NW direction.

[Mike D]

As an Obs employee, I do not know the answer. I will check with a couple folks and see if they know...

[MtnMagic]

The William curtis plaque is in the crew room of the Lakes, I have a picture of it. Also, I have a picture of the boots nailed to the wall too. I am told that Ormsbee's death marker is near the weather observatory - the place where he was found dead. Curtis's body was found at Bigelow Lawn at the spot of where the Lakes hut is. Ormsbee was younger and tougher - he perservered and was very close to Washington summit house- but did not make it.

[EricJ]

Mount Washington 'Not without Peril'

I wonder if the author, Nicholas Howe, would know.

[mk10]

Chronicles of the White Mountains
by Frederick Wilkinson Kilbourne

Curtis and Ormsbee pg.275

[MtnMagic]

Thank you guys very much!

From the Chronicles of the White Mountains by By Frederick Wilkinson Kilbourne:

"The place where the Stout hearted Ormsbee's bodywas found is a wooden cross and a bronze plaque provided by The Fresh Air Club."

Ormsbee & Curtis both perished in the great storm of June 30, 1900. Just because it may be July, don't be lulled into a false sense of security. Snow storms and danger on the rockpile every month of the year. Local hikers have always said the White Mountains are killers.

Can't wait to read the entire book. Again thanks to all for helping!

Cruise well,
and often,
MtnMagic

[EricJ]

Reread this when I got home.


From 'Not without Peril' by Nicholas Howe pg.73

"The place where Allan Ormsbee died is on the Crawford Path just below the summit and twenty yards off the trail to the west, marked by a plain wooden cross.

[Mike D]

Reread this when I got home.


From 'Not without Peril' by Nicholas Howe pg.73

"The place where Allan Ormsbee died is on the Crawford Path just below the summit and twenty yards off the trail to the west, marked by a plain wooden cross.

Hm, I've hiked down from the summit to Lakes via the Crawford Path numerous times and don't remember ever seeing a cross.