H. Adams Carter

Who was H. Adams Carter?

Hubert Adams "Ad" Carter was an American mountaineer, language teacher and was editor of the American Alpine Journal for 35 years.

Carter was born in Newton, Massachusetts in 1914, and made his first ascent of Mount Washington at the age of five. He graduated from Milton Academy in Milton, Massachusetts in 1932 and from Harvard College in 1936.

In 1934, Carter participated with Bradford Washburn in the first ascents of Mount Quincy Adams and Mount Crillon in Alaska. In 1936, he was a member of the British-American expedition that made the first ascent of Nanda Devi in India, which remained the highest mountain ever climbed until 1950.

Carter also became a member of the United States Ski Team, competing in the Alpine World Skiing Championships in 1937, and the Panamerican championships in 1938.

During World War II, Carter assisted in the creation and training of the 10th Mountain Division. He translated material in German, French, Spanish, and Italian for use in writing the first Army manuals on mountain warfare, and developing equipment. Carter also interrogated German and Japanese POWs. In 1945, Carter was awarded a Commendation for Meritorious Civilian Service for his wartime service.