Hi-points

[satillayakker]

In researching state high points for my son, I had a great "inner question"! I noticed that some states have a high point that is not much higher than the surrounding area. For instance, Oklahoma. The highest point is Black Mesa...... no summit to be had that I can see. There are numerous mountains all over OK, but not the high point. Now, here is my question. Do you consider a mountain to be a mountain solely on the mean elevation, or by the actual prominence? Example, Mt. Alpha's peak is 3000' from the surrounding valley. It is only 3500' above sea level, or Mt. Bravo's peak is 500' above a valley but 6000' above sea level. Which is more the mountain? I see the word mountain thrown around like a hot potato, but no one really knows what constitutes a mountain. (Atleast no one I have talked to.) At what point does a hill become a mountain? Please, the more ideas, either way, are greatly welcome!

A little back story, my son has decided that in his lifetime, preferably before he is 25 which gives him 13 years to do it, he wants to hit all the state high points. I am all for it. (I know there are people out there who detest hi-pointing, 14-ing, peak bagging, etc., but that is not debatable here. I recently had a discussion with a guy who thought the idea of peak bagging was too goal oriented for the great outdoor experience, but told me he planned to hike the entire AP... ) My son enjoys standing at the top, looking out over creation. The one thing he does not want is to drive up, get out of the car and there you are in 20 steps, the high point. Thus, he has also thought about tallest peak in each state, which may not necessarily be the highest point. Anyone know of a site dedicated or with info on this alternative?

[chumley]

A previous discussion related to this topic:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3414

I'd be surprised if there wasn't a list of prominent peaks for each state as well as high points. And it might make for a more unique goal than just bagging the high points.

[satillayakker]

You were right Chum. I found a good list on peak bagger

This does seem like a better alternative.

[joebartels]

Anyone can make a list, they are called Mapped Areas on HAZ.

If you are interested in creating a new Mapped Area contact the webmaster with a comma separated list of description IDs. That is the ZTN= figure listed in the URL of description pages. Maps under 50 routes are best.

ie: http://hikearizona.com/map.php?X=40

[azbackpackr]

In answer to one of the questions, there are several high pointer associations and lists. A county high point group exists, also.

[PatrickL]

Prominence is great and useful if you're trying to find more elevation gain in a hike. Only downside is some routes can end up involving a lot of miles if you really want to hike a mountain from the bottom to the top. I still haven't been able to find a favorable route up Mount Peale that doesn't have "30+ mile day hike" written all over it. :tt:

And Peakbagger is an excellent site for peak lists. Find a mountain there, then look it up on Summitpost for more information (or HAZ, of course, if it's in AZ ;))

[satillayakker]

Thanks for all the info! We will be starting our great journey in a few weeks when we tackle Brasstown Bald here in GA ( not much of a hike by its lonesome, but that's ok) and Clingman's dome in TN. Two down, and well, A BUNCH to go. The mentioned sites have been very helpful while building our map. Its amazing how close some of the peaks are to others, baggable in the same trip, but others are so far from another it is crazy. Of course, there are two that will prove extremely difficult just to get to, but one day.......... Anyway, thanks for the help so far, and by all means keep the ideas coming! Everything helps!

[azbackpackr]

Well, when it comes time for Alaska, be sure you have taken a mountaineering course. Mt. McKinley/Denali made it to #10 of the 11 most dangerous peaks in the world to climb, according to this:
http://matadornetwork.com/trips/11-most ... -climbers/

[satillayakker]

Most certainly! Logistically though, nothing like that is in the near future. We can make many east coast summits, and some more southerly and westerly in the not too far off future. Some of those will be on the list for after we have many hours under our belts. There is no way we would be trying to tackle Mt. Washington (another that has made many of those type lists) or some of the other NE peaks until we are WELL versed! Realisticly, there won't be much of a look at the likes of Denali or Mauna Kea til after the others have been experienced. It isn't so much of actually bagging all the state prominent features as it is experiencing the world the way mankind once did (to an extent) and getting it done together.

[azbackpackr]

Mauna Kea is a drive-up. I've been there. We drove until my old Datsun wagon got vapor lock, then we hiked until some astronomers came along and we stuck out our thumbs and got a ride. That was back in '79 when I lived there.

[satillayakker]

You can drive to the top?! Did not know that. It is much less appealing now........ I mean, don't get me wrong, I am all for access to some places that people with health conditions may not otherwise see, but please tell me there is a trail for able bodied people to get there.........

[PatrickL]

I think one of the trails for Mauna Kea starts around 10,000ft. Speaking of prominence, hiking that one from sea level would be cool, albeit very long.

[azbackpackr]

Mauna Loa is the one with the long trail. Mauna Kea is the one famous for all the telescopes and the (occasional) skiing. Your rental car contract likely will say you can't drive up there, so you'll have to walk, anyway! (Or hitch with astronomers.)

Most people mispronounce it, too. It's Mow-nuh (rhymes with cow-nuh) KAY uh. NOT Mah-uh Kee-uh. It means white mountain.

There's a wonderful song about it, slack key, hapa haole (half in English, half in Hawai'ian), by Keola Beamer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF0-ZS8YD-A