 Coolidge eventually became an outstanding mountaineer, with over 1,700 ascents in the Alps, and the greatest alpine historian of the Victorian age.The two climbed together for over ten seasons, and were joined in many of their adventures by Tschingel (1865–1879), a small dog their guide Christian Almer gave to her nephew.Later, she would proudly refer to their canine companion as the only "Honorary Lady member of the Alpine Club".