Longs Peak, in Rocky Mountain National Park, is one of the highest mountains in the United States. Agnes Vaille was one of the top mountaineers in the early 20th century. She wanted to be the first person to make a winter ascent of Long's formidable east face. Agnes and her companion succeeded but tragedy struck on their descent. Agnes and a member of a rescue group both perished on the mountain. The Agnes Vaille Shelter remains at the Keyhole rock formation just above treeline on the trail up Long's Peak.

Lyrics

Ballad of Agnes Vaille
© Felicito Guerrero 2015

It's time I said goodbye to Houston.
I've followed her freeways too far.
My soul needs to get out of Houston.
Some love her night life but I need the stars.

I left city lights back in Texas
Drove to the Rockies through the night.
Made camp in Long's Peak canyon.
Traded stories with good friends by campfire light.

It's time I said goodbye to Houston.
I've followed her freeways too far.
My soul needs to get out of Houston.
Some love her night life but I need the stars.

I backpacked in sight of the Diamond,
Weary, to the Keyhole I climbed.
Gave my greetings again to Agnes,
No life blooms around her, but I'll tell you her story.

Agnes Vaille was a fine young lady who lived near the Denver hills
and she spent her days in the mountains along the Great Divide.
Climbing the "Fourteeners" as a mountaineering guide.

Now Long's was a mighty mountain, over fourteen thousand high.
And the eastern route to the summit in the winter had not been climbed.
Only six in summer weather ever scaled the eastern side.

Agnes was determined and planned a winter climb.
Bound for glory in mountain lore, a legend in her time.
Now her name is known forever, but she paid an awful price.
As the snows swirled all around she climbed so high in her pride.
Now there's a shelter dedicated to Agnes Vaille
At the boulders where she died.

An early winter in '24 brought snow and wind and ice.
Four times she was defeated by the mountain's fight.
The fifth would be January of Nineteen Twenty-Five.
At nine that winter morning, she left with a lone companion.
By three they were halfway up but in the northern sky.
Long's was gatherin' weather. It would be an awful night.

Agnes was determined and planned a winter climb.
Bound for glory in mountain lore, a legend in her time.
Now her name is known forever, but she paid an awful price.
As the snows swirled all around she climbed so high in her pride.
Now there's a shelter dedicated to Agnes Vaille
At the boulders where she died.

After twenty hours of climbing, they finally reached the top.
She knew her feet and hands were gone but couldn't risk a stop.
A death sleep was whisp'ring as she stumbled through the snow.

A mile from heat and shelter, she fell on the North Face ice.
Though she struggled to her feet, the winds blew her down
Now a shelter stands forever at the Keyhole where she died.

It's time I said goodbye to Houston.
I've followed her freeways too far.
My soul needs to get out of Houston.
Some love her night life but I need the stars.

I backpacked in sight of the Diamond,
Weary, to the Keyhole I climbed.
Gave my greetings again to Agnes...