Brothers, mechanical engineers, are climbing many of the world’s tall peaks to prove they have been measured incorrectly

Pivo · Post by **Pivo** » Dec 28 2025 6:47 am

In 2020, Eric Gilbertson, a mechanical engineering professor at Seattle University, climbed the 100 highest mountains in Colorado. Or so he thought.

In 2021, he found something concerning in data published by the United States Geological Survey about a summit called Crestone Peak. It’s one of Colorado’s famous 14ers, mountains that reach beyond 14,000 feet.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/28/scie ... =url-share

azhiker96 · Post by **azhiker96** » Dec 28 2025 9:07 am

Interesting. Reminds me of one time I was on Brown’s Peak. As I relaxed a couple of hikers reached the summit. One checked a device (not sure if an altimeter or GPS) and proudly announced the elevation to his friend. Curious, I pulled out my Beartooth and saw the mountain had grown taller by nearly 10 feet.

big_load · Post by **big_load** » Dec 28 2025 2:57 pm

In the case of Crestone, I think it was understood among serious peak baggers that the peaks don't differ much in height. However, there are doubtless plenty of pedantic gatekeepers who would disallow claims of previous Crestone ascents based on this information. (That wouldn't affect me - I've been all around Crestone, but not up to the top.)

DixieFlyer · Post by **DixieFlyer** » Dec 28 2025 6:38 pm

Eric Gilbertson also recently discovered that Mount Curwood, not Mount Arvon, is the high point of Michigan. Curwood is 4.8 inches higher.

chumley · Post by **chumley** » Dec 28 2025 10:14 pm

This kind of thing is why the New York Times is known as the "newspaper of record". Critically important reporting!

azbackpackr · Post by **azbackpackr** » Dec 29 2025 5:04 am

@chumley
Beats reading the other news.

Brothers, mechanical engineers, are climbing many of the world’s tall peaks to prove they have been measured incorrectly

Brothers, mechanical engineers, are climbing many of the world’s tall peaks to prove they have been measured incorrectly

Re: Brothers, mechanical engineers, are climbing many of the world’s tall peaks to prove they have been measured incorre

Re: Brothers, mechanical engineers, are climbing many of the world’s tall peaks to prove they have been measured incorre

Re: Brothers, mechanical engineers, are climbing many of the world’s tall peaks to prove they have been measured incorre

Re: Brothers, mechanical engineers, are climbing many of the world’s tall peaks to prove they have been measured incorre

Re: Brothers, mechanical engineers, are climbing many of the world’s tall peaks to prove they have been measured incorre