View Full Version : Highest Elevation hiked too?
tanichols
12-11-2004, 05:28
All,
Just wanted to see what kind of elevations Whiteblaze users have hiked too.
Post back where you were and how high up you hiked.
It's always nice to see what others have done besides the AT.
For me, I hike up to about 17,500 ft in Bolivia's Cordillera Rill darn near to the top of Mt. Chacaltaya.
If you'd like to see images of my excursion to Chacaltaya view my gallery:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=3614
It was one heck of an experience. Prior to that hike my highest "hikes" were in the 9k range, out in the Tetons, in Rocky Mountain NP, and to the top of Mt. Baden Powell in the Angeles NF out in CA.
I went to Bolivia in there winter and surprise it snowed the night before our trip to the Glacier. My primary reason for the trip was to do some southern hemisphere astronomy which was excellent, but I managed to do a lot of tourism and hiking on the trip. A bus was to drop us off at a staging area for the hike up Chacaltaya. It didn't make it even half way up. The road was wild as thin as it could get and a huge dropoff over the edge. The bus was sliding all around and people actually opened up the emergency windows preparing to get out. So the bus finally stopped and said no further, we'd have to hike. It was a 3 hr or so hike to where we ended our excursion at about 17,500ft. Right below a Cosmic Ray Research Station.
All and all a great experience. Air sure was thin tho, definitely double dosing on breathing, though I didn't have any trouble. A few turned back. If you're looking for more info on Chacaltaya check out my photo gallery and read the descriptions.
Anyways, I look forward to hearing about your peak elevation.
steve hiker
12-11-2004, 12:46
Storm Pass, Colorado, 12,460 feet. Trailhead started at 8,000 or so feet. Wind was pretty brisk up there for a clear fall day. I can only imagine what it's like there when a storm comes in. Great views.
That isn't high by western standards, but it's twice as high as the highest point on the AT. But then, you're already that high when you step off the plane in Colorado Springs. After that, Gunnison is 7,700 feet and the trailhead around 8000, and you hike up from there.
The Old Fhart
12-11-2004, 14:26
14,496 feet on Whitney. I started at Happy Isle in Yosemite at 4000 feet so I had plenty of time to acclimate.
grizzlyadam
12-11-2004, 14:50
spent the night beneath the stars on santa fe baldy in new mexico. elevation 12,622 feet. it was pretty incredible. you can read about it here (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2260).
Rocks 'n Roots
12-11-2004, 15:33
Somewhere around 17,500 on Popocatepetl Volcano, outside Mexico City.
Sapped me badly because I had a case of disentery at the time. It was snowing lightly in late August at the top. 5 years later the volcano incinerated several climbers in an eruption...
Footslogger
12-11-2004, 15:36
My highest climb to date is Long's Peak in Colorado at 14,256'
Since moving to Wyoming we consistently hike above 10,000' and one of our favorite climbs to date was Medicine Bow Peak at 12,100'
'Slogger
AT 2003
Pencil Pusher
12-11-2004, 18:54
I remember being pretty scared on Longs Peak. After the long scramble up the gully you cross a little saddle with some good exposure below. Then you can see this ledge you need to traverse. To make matters worse, people are going in both directions on the ledge. Man as soon as I saw that I knew I had to push on or I was going to chicken out. Huge summit! 20,320 is my highest.
The Will
12-11-2004, 20:17
19,000 ft...above advance base-camp of Mt. Shishipangma, Tibet.
Mt Whitney 14,495 Mt Shasta 14,162 (much harder climb)
my highest is around 12000 ft in the Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in New Mexico
Don't remember the name of the mountain though
my highest is around 12000 ft in the Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in New Mexico
Don't remember the name of the mountain though
I believe the scouts call it Mt Baldy.
Blue Jay
12-22-2004, 09:04
50,000 feet, Mt. Horsehocky, on Uranus. My mountain's bigger than your mountain, what is this the second grade?
Rocalousas
12-22-2004, 10:42
Sound like you got some rocks loose there Green Jay. Call your doctor and check back in tomorrow.
my wife ("D-bird") & i hiked in the Tetons a few years ago & got to Rendezvous Peak @ 10,450ft elevation & then we walked along the Continental Divide Trail for a couple miles on a dayhike on the same trip @ over 12,000 ft elevation a couple times.
i prefer the good ole 5,000-6,000ft elevations of the A.T.! hehehehehe :D
Blue Jay
12-22-2004, 11:33
Sound like you got some rocks loose there Green Jay. Call your doctor and check back in tomorrow.
YES, attacked by some one without delusions of grandeur. Thank you
Kerosene
12-22-2004, 16:02
I may have to stick to eastern elevations when backpacking. Whenever I go skiing out west I tend to get tired and dizzy very quickly, even after four days at elevation (8000+ feet). However, once I complete the AT (only 9 years to go!) I want to do the John Muir Trail, which finishes atop 14,000-foot Mt. Whitney. We'll see.
hungryhowie
12-22-2004, 22:54
50,000 feet, Mt. Horsehocky, on Uranus. My mountain's bigger than your mountain, what is this the second grade?
Ha! I've climbed Olympus Mons on Mars at 78,000ft. It's the tallest mountain in the solar system. Beat that. Loser. :bse
-newsushi
saimyoji
12-22-2004, 23:06
...I'll let ya know when I get to the top.:bse
12,777 ft, summitted for the sunrise, Mt Fuji Japan.
Was stationed on the USS Midway, home ported in Yokosuka Japan in the late 70's and made the trek twice up Fuji's volcanic slopes. Hike starts at about 5 grand. Still have the famous Mt Fuji hiking stick as a reminder, and some photos.
Have actually been a little higher in the Uinta Range in Utah but we dirt biked most of the way up.
Lone Wolf
12-22-2004, 23:11
Jerimoth Hill, highest point in Rhode Island. 812 feet. Did it without oxygen or Leki poles!
Blue Jay
12-23-2004, 09:57
Jerimoth Hill, highest point in Rhode Island. 812 feet. Did it without oxygen or Leki poles!
Sorry, we don't believe you. It's well known it's impossible to hike without Leki Poles.
rgarling
12-23-2004, 10:21
Hiked to Pikes Peak (14,110 ft) from Manitou Springs, and this was back in the old days when a foot was a foot.
squirrel bait
12-23-2004, 11:07
Can ya still climb Pikes Peak? Did it back in the 70's. My family could see the peak from our back porch in Cripple Creek. Great views looking east and what fun to be had at the little shops in Manitou Springs. The highest I have been recently has been over Dragoons Tooth in Va but prefer the 12 feet I have to climb over the boardwalk steps to the beach (please stay off the dunes) here on the outer banks of NC.
Mt. Whitney 14,495'
Mt. Rainier 14,410'
Haiku.
BlackCloud
12-23-2004, 13:36
Mt. Yale, Colorado @ 14,196.
It is surprising how untechnical and undifficult (not easy mind you) climbing that high up can be in CO.
Jerimoth Hill, highest point in Rhode Island. 812 feet. Did it without oxygen or Leki poles!
This is high point is by far the hardest to summit. No lie!
http://www.boston.com/travel/newengland/rhodeisland/articles/2003/08/10/at_rhode_islands_jerimoth_hill_its_not_the_height_ thats_the_problem/
From http://www.backpacker.com/destinations/highpoints/article/0,8231,7170,00.html
hode Island: Jerimoth Hill
"America's Most Elusive Highpoint."
By Joe Glickman, April 2004
The Peak: 812 feet
Mt. McKinley may be tougher, but this unassuming suburban hillock is known as "America's Most Elusive Highpoint." One of 14 that require hikers to cross private land, Jerimoth is jealously guarded by the Richardson family, who are known to use motion sensors to detect nocturnal trespassers. The treasure they guard? A dirt path that gains 25 feet in elevation and dead-ends after a 3-minute stroll at a smooth rock overlooking two sheds.
The Protectors
For more than 30 years, Henry Richardson, the so-called "madman of Jerimoth Hill," reportedly broke cameras, slashed tires, and fired rock salt at intruders. In 1999, the Highpointers Club negotiated a handful of open dates each year to keep the peace. Though Richardson died in 2001, the Providence Journal reported last April that two locals were charged with "threatening, beating, and firing shots" over the heads of two hikers who'd crossed their land at night. Which begs the question: Who's nuttier-the Rhode Island rednecks or the not-so-stealthy duo who came all the way from Alaska to bag Jerimoth Hill?
How many high points do you get shot at? :)
If you want to bag this high, mighty peak legally:
http://americasroof.com/ri.html
davidlarson
12-23-2004, 18:04
Popocatapel before it became active in the 90's 17000 ft snow kept us from the summit that day .El Chirippo in Costa Rica also in the 90's 12,500ft . Both were hard climbs because of poor weather , particularly cold for a Floridian. El Chirippo was difficult to get to due to its remote location , but was well worth the trip.
Blue Jay
12-24-2004, 09:47
Popocatapel before it became active in the 90's 17000 ft snow kept us from the summit that day .El Chirippo in Costa Rica also in the 90's 12,500ft . Both were hard climbs because of poor weather , particularly cold for a Floridian. El Chirippo was difficult to get to due to its remote location , but was well worth the trip.
My memory is actually getting better. Last year on almost this exact date you told your El Chirippo story. Is this a Christmas tradition? I'm not being sarcastic, although I know it sounds like it.
davidlarson
12-24-2004, 11:14
I think I did post El Chirippo last year, but as I get older this repition becomes more frequent . I guess the answer is to redo the climbs again so I can start fresher stories .
I think I did post El Chirippo last year, but as I get older this repition becomes more frequent . I guess the answer is to redo the climbs again so I can start fresher stories .
David, have you hiked in the Monteverde area of Costa Rica? That place is heaven on earth!
davidlarson
12-24-2004, 12:43
No El Chirippo was enough but have been to the volcanoes near San Jose -11,000 ft but took a bus that time . Have been to Costa Rica 3 times but never on the east coast side . It's a beautiful country and I've often thought it would be nice to hike thru the jungles in the mountains since the plant life is spectacular but fear the rains and mud .
clingmans dome,still have not made it to mt mitchell or any were out west:sun neo
No El Chirippo was enough but have been to the volcanoes near San Jose -11,000 ft but took a bus that time . Have been to Costa Rica 3 times but never on the east coast side . It's a beautiful country and I've often thought it would be nice to hike thru the jungles in the mountains since the plant life is spectacular but fear the rains and mud .
Next time you visit Costa Rica, be sure to plan a trip to Monteverde. It's in the Tilaran Mountain rrange, and is actually a Pacific slope drainage. It's a really peaceful community. It was actually founded by Quakers froom Alabama in the 1950s. Great hiking, great wildlife, all kinds of different accomodations, some of the best coffee in the country, and Stellas Bakery. It doesn't get any better!
http://www.monteverdeinfo.com/
The Scribe
12-24-2004, 20:32
I saw this thread start and was going to contribute but then I saw the altitudes people were listing and decided not to.
Then I thought about it.
I am DAMN proud of 8/7/2004 and my summit of Mt. Washington.
So there, 6,288 is my highest point!!!!! :clap
pcm
Pencil Pusher
12-26-2004, 18:11
You weren't confused why your altimeter read 6,291 feet?:-?
The Old Fhart
12-26-2004, 19:54
PCM25 is right. The elevation of Mount Washington is actually recorded as 6288.176 feet above MSL (mean sea level) and this is what the current benchmark also says. I've checked it a few times while I lived on the summit for 4 winters. This elevation was determined by Brad Washburn so I believe it to be gospel. If you want more information on Brad Washburn check his maps Of the Grand Canyon, McKinley (Denali), Mt. Everest, read of his first ascents in Alaska, or check his fantastic aerial photography.
Some old brochures did give the elevation incorrectly as 6291.
I hit 5000 meters (16404 feet) when I was hiking in Bolivia in June.... it was like walk 20 feet, stop, puff puff, walk 20 feet, stop, puff puff. Bolivia does have some beautiful hiking though.
http://www.trailjournals.com/djessop
David
The Scribe
12-27-2004, 23:02
I've never heard of any number other than 6,288 associated with The Rock Pile. And I am a NH native.
Interesting.
Pencil Pusher
12-28-2004, 01:16
Sort of some dry humor I suppose. I got the idea from a cartoon I saw where two mountaineers are on top of a peak and looking at their altimeter (on their wrist) and wondering why there is a three foot difference in elevation.;)
Rift Zone
12-28-2004, 01:49
Mt Shasta 14,162.
Looks like I'm gonna get Whitney as my friend trains for K-2.