The Highpointers Club is a group dedicated to summiting the highest peak in each U.S. state. Recently, 180 members gathered in Bishop, California, near Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States.
Members consider all 50 state highpoints equally significant, ranging from challenging climbs like Wyoming's Gannett Peak to easily accessible locations such as Florida's Britton Hill, which is a parking lot at 345 feet.
Shannon Brumund, president of the Highpointers Club, noted the diverse difficulty levels, stating that some peaks are challenging, while others are suitable for family trips. The club provides a community for those who share this interest.
Lucy Westlake, who became the youngest woman to visit all state highpoints at 17 in 2021, views highpointing as an effective way to travel and explore the country with a purpose. For many, achieving all 50 highpoints is a lifelong objective.
While some highpoints, like Mt. Washington in New Hampshire, are drivable, others present logistical challenges. Charles Mound in Illinois, located on private farmland, is only accessible four weekends annually. Rick Wise described this as a difficult highpoint to time. Dee Winters highlighted the club's supportive environment for maintaining activity as one ages.
Ray O'Conor from New York commented that even sites without a superlative viewpoint, such as Charles Mound, hold a certain "magic" in the routes leading to them. Dutch siblings Lidy and Sjaak Van Schie, who undertake highpointing expeditions in the U.S., appreciate that the hobby leads them to places they would not normally visit.
Brumund concluded that the club offers a space where shared interests allow other concerns to diminish in importance.