Climbing the highest peaks of all 50 states?

If it is in, the ice route on Harney from the Palmer Creek side is my favorite pitch of ice in South Dakota. In a normal year it is in now, but I don't know what kind of winter SD is having. You can't toprope it - you need to be able to lead a fairly long and sustained WI3 pitch. You can see the ice from the road when it is in - the hike in is a couple of miles.

It is a route finding adventure getting from the top of the ice to the top of Harney. I really enjoyed it, but don't underestimate it. Ice axe, crampons, ice screws, and a small rack of rock gear are necessary.

Here is an old grainy photo of me leading the ice pitch.

Problem is I'm going alone, and that's probably not safe to do alone. Maybe next time...It looks like an awesome route. I'm anxious to try it with a friend sometime.

It's only dangerous if you fall...

Here's a cool list. Also has good beta for the routes.

peakbagger.com/list.aspx?li…

Looks like the trails to Harney Peak are closed. I guess I'm going to have to forgo my trip. :o(

Lisa Gignac wrote:Looks like the trails to Harney Peak are closed. I guess I'm going to have to forgo my trip. :o(

I find that impossible to believe - who told you that?

The route I described is definitely not a good one to solo. Still, hike up Harney from Willow Creek instead of Sylvan Lake for a much more full value day.

Lisa I'm not a high pointer but I do want to climb in SD. I'd make the trip with you but would also like to climb in the Needles. Drop me a line if you're interested. I'd def be in during the Spring.

Had a killer weekend last April:

Saturday: climb in the needles and bag Harney Peak
Sunday: Do a route on Devil's Tower! It's right there!

amazon.com/Top-Reaching-Ame…

A family friend, Joe Glickman has done it. He's a photojournalist and wrote this photo-essay/book. It's a nice coffee table book as there are some really nice shots in it, along with his witty descriptions of his journeys... He's got some great stories. I seem to recall him saying he was shot at during one of the southern peaks!

Wow a photo journalist. That sounds like a fun gig. Get paid for doing something you love. I'm in the wrong field. I'm taking classes to get my real estate license so I can take off more time in the summer and winter to climb. It's about priorities and climbing is more of a priority then work for me. I will miss my lucrative salary but who says it can be done in real estate, too.

Lisa,

I'm in Sioux Falls, SD and would be down to climb the hills/devil's tower in the spring! PM me when you have dates and we'll see if I can swing it! I'm leaving for the summer at the end of April, though.

Anyone that is looking to climb the 50 high points in the 50 states should check out fiftystaters.com. You can track your progress on peaks as well as get beta on directions/difficulty/etc.

fiftystaters.com

Wally wrote:A friend wrote a guidebook, not sure if it is in print. amazon.com/Highpoint-Advent… Wally

Highpoint Adventures (2nd Edition) is out of print, but Google just scanned it and has it available as an eBook. We still have copies of the 1st Edition (often referred to as "the little green book") as well.

Highpoint Adventures by Charlie & Diane Winger

If reaching the highest point of KS, FL, RI etc. isn't obscure enough, apparently there are some people that try to visit the lowest point in each of the 50 states.

Or you could follow up by trying to climb the highest point in each of the Canadian provinces & territories. Just getting to the base of some of them is a major logistical challenge. The highest point in Nunavut (Barbeau Pk on Ellesmere Island) is just 550 miles from the N Pole.

In my younger days, I tried to take a leak on a tree at the state capitols of all the 50 states. I did Wyoming, Colorado, Arkansas, West Virginia, and Idaho. Anyone top that?

If any high pointers need to mark off Mt. Rainier, I have one spot open on a guided trip for July 24-28, 2011. There will be 4 climbers and two guides. One has summitted the mountain 300+ times, the other is an international guide and owns a guiding service. If you are interested, I'll give you a quote.