Highpointing
Encyclopedia
Highpointing is the sport of visiting (and finding) the point with the highest elevation within
some area (the "highpoint"), for example the highest points in each county within a state. It can be considered a form of peak bagging
.
Over the years, this pursuit has been taken up by thousands of individuals and expanded to include other quirky geopolitical goals; visiting the highest point in each county in a state; summiting every peak in a region above some round number (such as 2000'); and reaching the highest point on each continent (the now famous "Seven Summits
"). No official definition exists, but the broadest view holds that any geopolitical region can be "highpointed."
Starting in the early 1900s, a few pioneers of highpointing began visiting the highest geographic point in each of the 50 states of the United States. In the early days, this endeavor involved dispute and lore, as the tools to precisely map every square inch of the country were just beginning to find widespread use - and this was perhaps a significant part of the charm.
At least one report has been made for an ascent of every state highpoint in Australia, a report for an ascent of every provincial highpoint in Canada, and another report for every "mainstream" country highpoint in the European Union. ("Mainstream" meaning, for example, that Mulhacen
was climbed in Spain rather than Pico de Teide of the Canary Islands.)
To date, no person is known to have reached the highest point in every country in the world.
There can also be found reports by people who have climbed all of the county tops in Ireland, or who make climbing the county tops in the United Kingdom a goal.
For many Highpointers, simply being present at the highest point is sufficient to check the highpoint off the list. This allows for driving to car-accessible summits and stepping out of the vehicle and declaring the summit "climbed." Drive-up highpointing is allowed by The Highpointers Club and the County Highpointers Club. Some individuals adhere to additional personal standards, such as attempting to hike to even car-accessible summits.
In the American West
, as well as the Appalachians
(notably in New England
), county highpoints often present serious climbing challenges. Examples include Mount Rainier
, Gannett Peak
, and, as an extreme example, Mount McKinley
. However in many other counties, particularly in the Plains states
, the highest point might be a small rise along a farm road, and there is no way to "climb" to the highest point in a literal sense. For this reason, the county highpointers also bag highpoints that most would consider insignificant.
Such an exercise is valuable to the county highpointer because the holy grail is a state completion, i.e. reaching the highest point of every county in a state. To that end, both the state's topographically prominent
county highpoints and less significant hills (or even mere mounds) must be reached - be it by driving or climbing as the individual locations warrant. Also, if the highest area or areas in a county are located along a boundary, they must be visited. The highest summit within a county, being lower, does not count under such circumstances (as is the case with the highest point in Connecticut
).
The county highpointers' rules are strict. Jerimoth Hill
, the highest point in both Rhode Island
and Providence County
serves as example. While state highpointers for years accepted driving RI 101 to the point closest to the summit of to count for a visit to that state's highest point due to access issues, county highpointers require that one visit the slightly higher rock outcrop at the actual summit to claim . Indeed, the highest natural terrain must be visited, regardless of climbing difficulty and other issues, and as described here.
Many counties, especially flat and low-lying ones, have not been fully surveyed
and thus have no single defined highest point, just multiple areas with the same highest contour line
. In order to claim to have successfully climbed the county's highest point, then, it is necessary to visit ALL those areas, unless one can clearly be ruled out by line of sight from another one or by virtue of having been graded or excavated. Even if one area has an elevation indicated on the USGS
map, the county highpointer must visit other areas within the same contour until and unless the maximum elevations are resolved by an official survey. For flat counties with multiple points, county highpointing is more akin to geocaching
than peak bagging
, since logically only one of the points is the highpoint, and the rest are not. In this case the number of virtual 'caches' is largely an artifact of the size of the contour interval (for a given area, the larger the contour interval, the more 'possible' highpoints there will be). For instance suppose the two highest points in a county are 101 feet and 106 feet above sea level, and that neither has a spot elevation on the map. If the region is mapped with 5-foot contours, there will be only 1 "highpoint". However, if the region is mapped with 10-foot contours, there will be two "highpoints", and county highpointers will be required to visit both points to claim the county.
some area (the "highpoint"), for example the highest points in each county within a state. It can be considered a form of peak bagging
Peak bagging
Peak bagging is an activity in which hillwalkers and mountaineers attempt to reach the summit of some collection of peaks, usually those above some height in a particular region, or having a particular feature.Peak bagging can be distinguished from highpointing...
.
Over the years, this pursuit has been taken up by thousands of individuals and expanded to include other quirky geopolitical goals; visiting the highest point in each county in a state; summiting every peak in a region above some round number (such as 2000'); and reaching the highest point on each continent (the now famous "Seven Summits
Seven Summits
The Seven Summits are the highest mountains of each of the seven continents. Summiting all of them is regarded as a mountaineering challenge, first postulated as such and achieved on April 30, 1985 by Richard Bass .-Definition:...
"). No official definition exists, but the broadest view holds that any geopolitical region can be "highpointed."
Highpointing rules
The governing body for state highpointing in the U.S. is The Highpointers Club. This is an activity intended primarily to motivate the journey, not to focus on the acquisition of the summits themselves. Many Highpoint Guides and Books hold to these general principles:- The goal is to attain the highest "natural point." In other words, regardless of what man-made structures have been placed on top, the goal is to stand atop the highest "natural point."
- If the natural high point is covered with a structure and that structure is accessible, even on a limited basis, entering the structure and standing over the presumed high point is the goal. If the structure is completely and permanently inaccessible—e.g. a military base or private telecommunications tower - the goal is to reach the highest accessible natural point. At times, The Highpointers Club will deem a highpoint closed due to private property issues and may allow an alternative spot very near the highpoint. But, this is only in extreme and special conditions. Some of the highpoints are open on certain dates only and the Club expects all members to abide by these dates.
- Any route to the top - walking, climbing, riding a cable car, dropping off a helicopter - is a valid means of attaining the high point. Each individual must decide what constitutes good sport. Many will prefer reaching the high point under their own locomotion, but the goal of highpointing is reaching the highpoint - means is a personal choice.
Starting in the early 1900s, a few pioneers of highpointing began visiting the highest geographic point in each of the 50 states of the United States. In the early days, this endeavor involved dispute and lore, as the tools to precisely map every square inch of the country were just beginning to find widespread use - and this was perhaps a significant part of the charm.
At least one report has been made for an ascent of every state highpoint in Australia, a report for an ascent of every provincial highpoint in Canada, and another report for every "mainstream" country highpoint in the European Union. ("Mainstream" meaning, for example, that Mulhacen
Mulhacén
Mulhacén is the highest mountain in continental Spain and in the Iberian Peninsula. It is part of the Sierra Nevada range in the Cordillera Penibética...
was climbed in Spain rather than Pico de Teide of the Canary Islands.)
To date, no person is known to have reached the highest point in every country in the world.
State and county highpoints
The two most prolific highpointing organizations are The Highpointers Club, whose members aspire reaching all of the U.S state highpoints, and the County Highpointers Club, whose members are collectively attempting to reach the highest point in all 3,142 U.S. counties.There can also be found reports by people who have climbed all of the county tops in Ireland, or who make climbing the county tops in the United Kingdom a goal.
For many Highpointers, simply being present at the highest point is sufficient to check the highpoint off the list. This allows for driving to car-accessible summits and stepping out of the vehicle and declaring the summit "climbed." Drive-up highpointing is allowed by The Highpointers Club and the County Highpointers Club. Some individuals adhere to additional personal standards, such as attempting to hike to even car-accessible summits.
In the American West
Western United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
, as well as the Appalachians
Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains #Whether the stressed vowel is or ,#Whether the "ch" is pronounced as a fricative or an affricate , and#Whether the final vowel is the monophthong or the diphthong .), often called the Appalachians, are a system of mountains in eastern North America. The Appalachians...
(notably in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
), county highpoints often present serious climbing challenges. Examples include Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier is a massive stratovolcano located southeast of Seattle in the state of Washington, United States. It is the most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous United States and the Cascade Volcanic Arc, with a summit elevation of . Mt. Rainier is considered one of the most...
, Gannett Peak
Gannett Peak
Gannett Peak is the highest peak in the U.S. state of Wyoming and straddles the boundary between Fremont and Sublette Counties along the Continental Divide.- Overview :...
, and, as an extreme example, Mount McKinley
Mount McKinley
Mount McKinley or Denali in Alaska, United States is the highest mountain peak in North America and the United States, with a summit elevation of above sea level. It is the centerpiece of Denali National Park and Preserve.- Geology and features :Mount McKinley is a granitic pluton...
. However in many other counties, particularly in the Plains states
Great Plains
The Great Plains are a broad expanse of flat land, much of it covered in prairie, steppe and grassland, which lies west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada. This area covers parts of the U.S...
, the highest point might be a small rise along a farm road, and there is no way to "climb" to the highest point in a literal sense. For this reason, the county highpointers also bag highpoints that most would consider insignificant.
Such an exercise is valuable to the county highpointer because the holy grail is a state completion, i.e. reaching the highest point of every county in a state. To that end, both the state's topographically prominent
Topographic prominence
In topography, prominence, also known as autonomous height, relative height, shoulder drop , or prime factor , categorizes the height of the mountain's or hill's summit by the elevation between it and the lowest contour line encircling it and no higher summit...
county highpoints and less significant hills (or even mere mounds) must be reached - be it by driving or climbing as the individual locations warrant. Also, if the highest area or areas in a county are located along a boundary, they must be visited. The highest summit within a county, being lower, does not count under such circumstances (as is the case with the highest point in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
).
The county highpointers' rules are strict. Jerimoth Hill
Jerimoth Hill
Jerimoth Hill is the name of the highest natural point in the U.S. state of Rhode Island, at 812 feet above sea level. It was once one of the most controversial U.S. highpoints due to property complications, but it is now accessible to the public 7 days a week 8AM to 4PM...
, the highest point in both Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
and Providence County
Providence County, Rhode Island
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 621,602 people, 239,936 households, and 152,839 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,504 people per square mile . There were 253,214 housing units at an average density of 613 per square mile...
serves as example. While state highpointers for years accepted driving RI 101 to the point closest to the summit of to count for a visit to that state's highest point due to access issues, county highpointers require that one visit the slightly higher rock outcrop at the actual summit to claim . Indeed, the highest natural terrain must be visited, regardless of climbing difficulty and other issues, and as described here.
Many counties, especially flat and low-lying ones, have not been fully surveyed
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
and thus have no single defined highest point, just multiple areas with the same highest contour line
Contour line
A contour line of a function of two variables is a curve along which the function has a constant value. In cartography, a contour line joins points of equal elevation above a given level, such as mean sea level...
. In order to claim to have successfully climbed the county's highest point, then, it is necessary to visit ALL those areas, unless one can clearly be ruled out by line of sight from another one or by virtue of having been graded or excavated. Even if one area has an elevation indicated on the USGS
United States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
map, the county highpointer must visit other areas within the same contour until and unless the maximum elevations are resolved by an official survey. For flat counties with multiple points, county highpointing is more akin to geocaching
Geocaching
Geocaching is an outdoor sporting activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", anywhere in the world....
than peak bagging
Peak bagging
Peak bagging is an activity in which hillwalkers and mountaineers attempt to reach the summit of some collection of peaks, usually those above some height in a particular region, or having a particular feature.Peak bagging can be distinguished from highpointing...
, since logically only one of the points is the highpoint, and the rest are not. In this case the number of virtual 'caches' is largely an artifact of the size of the contour interval (for a given area, the larger the contour interval, the more 'possible' highpoints there will be). For instance suppose the two highest points in a county are 101 feet and 106 feet above sea level, and that neither has a spot elevation on the map. If the region is mapped with 5-foot contours, there will be only 1 "highpoint". However, if the region is mapped with 10-foot contours, there will be two "highpoints", and county highpointers will be required to visit both points to claim the county.