In early June 1642 after a journey of 18 days, Darby Field from Oyster River (now Durham) and one or two unnamed Native Americans made the first documented ascent to the summit of Mount Washington.
On the way up the mountain, Field was at first accompanied by a larger group of Native Americans, but the rest stopped partway, telling him that no Indian had ever climbed to the top and that “he would die if he went.”
Parts of the White Mountains had been explored previously by Walter Neale and others, but Field was the first to reach their summit. Field’s tales of “shining stones” on the summit encouraged others to climb the mountain later the same year. Although no precious stones were found, the ventures helped expand knowledge about the unmapped territory on and around Mount Washington.
N.H. Historical Society