A little history of Pikes Peak - A little closer to the clouds

The climb of Pikes Peak is the Holy Grail for any hill climb competitor. If its reputation is part of the myth in Europe, the work carried out during the 2000s has profoundly modified the challenge of this century-old event.

Published on 25/06/2023 à 12:03

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A Little History of Pikes Peak – A Little Closer to the Clouds

Ari Vatanen greatly contributed to the legend of Pikes Peak © DPPI

A sacred mountain in the eyes of hill climb enthusiasts as Everest is for experienced mountaineers, Pikes Peak has been dizzying for over a century. This is where the second oldest automobile event in the United States still in operation takes place. The “Race to the Clouds” was launched in 1916, five years after the Indianapolis 500. This peak nestled at an altitude of 4 meters has always asked human beings to push their limits, whether physical or mechanical. Indeed, Pikes Peak was named in honor of Zebulon Pike, the first American to attempt to climb its summit in 301… without success. The explorer had turned back after two days of painful walking, without food. This incident did not survive