PETE LAMB

 

Charles Wesley “Pete” Lamb was born to Louisa and Levi Lamb in Keene Valley in 1867.  By the age of 19 he was following in his father’s footsteps as an Adirondack guide — learning by doing and acquiring the extraordinary range of skills necessary to live in the wilderness.

 

For over 30 years, Pete Lamb, with his father and brother, kept a camp on the Upper Ausable Lake, introducing city folk to the woods and waters of the Adirondacks.  Pete became known for his expert camp cooking and was a favorite with family groups.

 

At age 25, he married Thyrza Otis, daughter of another guide.   They had six children.  After Thyrza died in the flu epidemic of 1919, Pete built the Merle-Smith camp on the Upper Ausable Lake, and worked for them until 1930.  Pete Lamb lived his entire life in Keene Valley until his death at 85 in 1953.

(Photo, Pete Lamb (with hat) and fellow guide Frank Holt.  1913.)

 

(Contributed by Lanse Stover)