by Gerine Collingwood

It was the twelfth of July, my mother’s birthday, and my father decided that it was a great birthday gift to climb Gros Morne. We rose early, 6:30am, and left our house in Norris Point by jeep to get to our boat anchored at the point to start our trip to Eastern Arm, as that was the only way to get there.

Our guide, Billy Major, Daddy, Mother, Edwina, myself and Dr. Perry from the USA climbed on board the Tinker Bell and set sail for Eastern Arm. Once we reached there, we rowed ashore in a small row boat and walked around Eastern Arm to a wooded area which had a small trail which led to the base of Gros Morne. This area was bear and moose country and very protected from humans, so our guide Billy carried a gun, ready to shoot it if necessary.

In those days we lived off the land and Bonne Bay was completely isolated and wildlife was our meat for the long winter months as the bays were frozen. If strong enough we could cross by snowmobile, horse, or dogsled, but these months were short and risky at times. We walked through the woods, clearing the way to the foot of Gros Morne.

By then our sneakers were worn badly and the extra ones we had tied around our waists replaced them. We stopped to regain our strength and had a boil up before starting our climb.

I was eleven and my sister was nine at the time, so we needed the short rest. It was a difficult climb going up from the base of the mountain. The rocks were very loose and with each step we saw rocks tumbling down like there would be no end to their falling.

Billy, myself, Dr. Perry and Mother were the first to reach the top. As you can see from the pictures, the doctor was in bad shape. When he reached the top he was exhausted from the high altitude. Father and Edwina followed.

In the photos you will see us at the foot of the mountain having a boil-up before starting the climb. It was a very hot day and we were getting into around noon, so by now we were getting very tired. At the top, what a magnificent view. It was breathtaking, looking down from the top.

Then came the long journey back down this magnificent mountain. The tumbling rocks did not help and we had to be very careful. Reaching the bottom, we had a short breather before starting back through the wooded area and animal territory. By the time we reached the shore again it was starting to get dark. We walked around Eastern Arm to the boat and set sail for home.

We left Norris Point around 6 in the morning, completed the climb of Gros Morne around 3pm, and it was now 10 at night. We were exhausted and after a short snack, fell into bed. It was a little different than climbing this mountain today. Would there be so many climbers? I doubt it.