All posts in State Highpoints

10 Oct

inReach message from Robert Danger Byrd

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / October 10, 2014 / 0 Comments

“Cathedral also iced over, taking Saddle route instead. Will take our time and hopefully Knife will open later.”

View the location or send a reply to Robert Danger Byrd:
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Robert Danger Byrd sent this message from:
Lat 45.91636 Lon -68.914403

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This message was sent to you using the DeLorme inReach two-way satellite communicator with GPS. To learn more, visit http://www.delorme.com/inReach/

10 Oct

inReach message from Robert Danger Byrd

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / October 10, 2014 / 0 Comments

2000′ up near vertical smooth rocks

09 Oct

inReach message from Robert Danger Byrd

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / October 9, 2014 / 0 Comments

“Crisis averted, tent to tent begging turned up some fuel, & we had a hot meal. Sleeting earlier and its below freezing now. Sleeping in a 3 sided lean-to”

View the location or send a reply to Robert Danger Byrd:
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Robert Danger Byrd sent this message from:
Lat 45.916147 Lon -68.911637

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This message was sent to you using the DeLorme inReach two-way satellite communicator with GPS. To learn more, visit http://www.delorme.com/inReach/

09 Oct

inReach message from Robert Danger Byrd

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / October 9, 2014 / 0 Comments

“Just got to camp and realized we have no stove fuel which puts a kink in our meal plan. Last hour was in dark over a very wet rocky trail w many water Xings”

View the location or send a reply to Robert Danger Byrd:
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Robert Danger Byrd sent this message from:
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This message was sent to you using the DeLorme inReach two-way satellite communicator with GPS. To learn more, visit http://www.delorme.com/inReach/

09 Oct

inReach message from Robert Danger Byrd

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / October 9, 2014 / 0 Comments

“Now leaving the trailhead for Chimney Pond where we will camp tonight. The forest is amazing w brilliant color. Feel very blessed to be here at this time.”

View the location or send a reply to Robert Danger Byrd:
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Robert Danger Byrd sent this message from:
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This message was sent to you using the DeLorme inReach two-way satellite communicator with GPS. To learn more, visit http://www.delorme.com/inReach/

09 Oct

inReach message from Robert Danger Byrd

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / October 9, 2014 / 0 Comments

“Now leaving the trailhead for Chimney Pond where we will camp tonight. The forest is amazing w brilliant color. Feel very blessed to be here at this time.”

View the location or send a reply to Robert Danger Byrd:
https://explore.delorme.com/textmessage/txtmsg?mo=773cdd523a2d43b0961cdea893bd597818644693&adr=blog%40robertdangerbyrd.com

Robert Danger Byrd sent this message from:
Lat 45.91901 Lon -68.857027

Do not reply directly to this message.

This message was sent to you using the DeLorme inReach two-way satellite communicator with GPS. To learn more, visit http://www.delorme.com/inReach/

Mt. Katahdin Begins Now!
09 Oct

Mt. Katahdin Begins Now!

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / October 9, 2014 / 0 Comments

The crown jewel of our Northeast Trip is Mt Katahdin, and it starts now!

Rick and I are driving into Baxter State Park now through amazing color (best so far) and lost cell coverage a while back. We stopped at the North Woods Trading Post for some WiFi and other supplies. This will be my last direct post until we get back to civilization. All other posts will be via the satellite beacon. Tracking is already active via the Track link.

We plan to hike in and camp at the base of the mountain tonight at Chimney Pond (Thursday) night and start he climb Friday morning taking the knife edge weather permitting. Park ranger said the Knife Edge route may be iced over making the smooth rocks impassable, so we will have to play it by ear.

Here is some information about the Knife Edge Trail from the park services website:
This route is completely exposed and several people have died or have been seriously injured while attempting a traverse in inclement weather and/or high winds. Hiking Knife Edge is not recommended due to its difficulty and the amount of time it adds.

Sounds perfect to me!

Northeast Trip Highpoints #1-7 Complete, Only Katahdin Remains
08 Oct

Northeast Trip Highpoints #1-7 Complete, Only Katahdin Remains

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / October 8, 2014 / 0 Comments

It has been a whirlwind trip with lots of hotels and driving, but highpoints number 1-7 of our Northeast 8 State Highpoints in 17 Days Trip are in the bag leaving only Katahdin, the highest mountain in Maine and a physically demanding climb.

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Mt Washington, NH Highpoint #7 of 8 Complete
06 Oct

Mt Washington, NH Highpoint #7 of 8 Complete

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / October 6, 2014 / 0 Comments

It’s 4:00 PM on Monday October 6th 2014 and Susan and I are standing on e summit of Mt Washington the highest peak in New Hampshire. It’s cold and windy, but actually quite good weather for this mountain which has notoriously bad weather.

The full Mount Washington Trip Report is posted here.

Mt Mansfield, VT – Highpoint #6 of 8 Complete
05 Oct

Mt Mansfield, VT – Highpoint #6 of 8 Complete

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / October 5, 2014 / 0 Comments

It’s 2:31 PM October 5th and Susan and I are standing on the cold and windy summit of Mt Mansfield.

Mt Mansfeild, VT Summit Susan & Robert
Susan does not dig the weather, so we are taking a couple of summit photos and heading right back down. She did well taking only a single break on the way up.

The full trip report is posted here.

Jerimoth Hill, RI Highpoint #5 of 8 Complete
02 Oct

Jerimoth Hill, RI Highpoint #5 of 8 Complete

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / October 2, 2014 / 0 Comments

Jerimoth hill has long been considered one of the most difficult highpoints to complete as it is literally located in someone’s backyard. The land owner had a history of shooting at highpointers and holding others at gunpoint until the police arrived booking them for trespassing.

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Mt Greylock, MA – Highpoint #4 of 8 Complete
02 Oct

Mt Greylock, MA – Highpoint #4 of 8 Complete

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / October 2, 2014 / 0 Comments

Yesterday Susan and I knocked out The Massachusetts highpoint which was a drive up. We woke up to rainy weather, but found it a bit cooler which was nice.

 A Beautiful Drive
On our way to Mt. Greylock we drove through the idealized countryside of the Berkshires which is dotted with farms, cottages and old barns which left me wondering where the real homes are. I suspect these are cardboard facades put up for the tourists and the real homes are hiding behind them. No matter the case, this is a beautiful part of America.

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Mt Frissell (South Slope), CT – Highpoint #3 of 4 Complete
30 Sep

Mt Frissell (South Slope), CT – Highpoint #3 of 4 Complete

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / September 30, 2014 / 0 Comments

We are now standing at the HP in CT. This is the hardest highpoint that Susan has done with me. She found the steep rocky sections challenging, but she took her time and got it done. It’s overcast but we can see color dappled valleys from Here.

The 2,380′ highpoint of Connecticut is not actually not summit of Mt Frissel which is in Massassachusets but the shoulder. To get here you climb over the top of Mt Frissell and drop down to the CT/MA state line. We are standing directly over the state line in the photo. The green marker near my right foot is the state lone marker, so that point is the highest you can be and still be in CT. If you climb back up higher you will be back in Massachusetts. 

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Leaving Mt Frissell Trailhead
30 Sep

Leaving Mt Frissell Trailhead

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / September 30, 2014 / 0 Comments

The Mt Frissell  trailhead is right at the Connecticut and Massachusetts state line. The woods are very colorful here and I’m looking forward to getting up higher.

Susan and I are preparing to leave the trailhead now. Satellite tracking is active and I estimate well take 4 hrs or  so allowing for photography.

 

High Point, NJ – Highpoint #2 of 8 Complete
28 Sep

High Point, NJ – Highpoint #2 of 8 Complete

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / September 28, 2014 / 0 Comments

At 1:00PM today Susan and I stood atop High Point, New Jersey. Yes, this highpoint is actually named “High Point”. In addition to the unimaginative moniker, it sports a copy of DC’s Washington Monument. Given the chance I would rename this one “Point Lacks Imagination”. 

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Origami
28 Sep

Origami

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / September 28, 2014 / 0 Comments

So I find myself waiting on Susan to get her makeup clothes and the like just right. I realize it is important that a girl look pretty while hiking so I wait patiently.

So how to occupy myself? I scanned an article on the plane yesterday so here is my first attempt at Origami.

27 Sep

La Bette, A Fine Example of Theater At It’s Worst

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / September 27, 2014 / 0 Comments

Thought I might score some points with Susan by getting us front row seats to La Bette. Wow, it’s amazing what passes for theater these days. Susan was falling asleep, and I did not try to wake her as it seemed cruel to subject her to more of it. I tried to go to sleep myself but the main character who droned on for a solid hour kept SCREAMING. I was regretting the front row seats and just praying for the intermission so we could slink away. I am a country boy, but I know bad when I see it. So much for the spousal points, this has set me back weeks.

So if you find yourself in Philly, avoid La Bette like the plague that it is. This is a link to La Bette, whatever you do, DONT CLICK IT!

Ebright Azimuth, DE – Highpoint 1 of 8 Complete
27 Sep

Ebright Azimuth, DE – Highpoint 1 of 8 Complete

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / September 27, 2014 / 1 Comment

Around 5:00PM today we climbed to the dangerous summit of Ebright Azimuth. Well actually there was no climbing involved, as this highpoint is at the end of a busy three way intersection in a suburban neighborhood not far from the Philadelphia International Airport. We did have to doge traffic and that was sort of dangerous. 

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8 State Highpoints in 17 Days
26 Sep

8 State Highpoints in 17 Days

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / September 26, 2014 / 1 Comment

Susan and leave for the Northeastern part of America tomorrow and we plan to nail 8 state highpoints in 17 days while taking in the fall colors this area is famous for. Most of the highpoints in this part of the country are fairly easy, but it is a very ambitious travel schedule. I’m actually surprised that Susan agreed to it at all as she generally prefers a more leisurely pace, while I like to get things done. At any rate, we’ve been married 21 years and hopefully still will be when we get back.  

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Mt. Elbert Success! Trip Report Posted
12 Aug

Mt. Elbert Success! Trip Report Posted

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / August 12, 2014 / 1 Comment

This Sunday past, (August 10th 2014), I successfully summited the 14,440′ Mt. Elbert which is the highest mountain in Colorado. There was a software update that prevented one of the plugins from posting the real time satellite updates to the blog during the climb, yes this stuff even happens to me. But I got them posted after the fact and added some photos to them as well.

Here is the content from the climb:

Trip Report: www.robertdangerbyrd.com/highpoints/mount-elbert-trip-report

Blog Posts: www.robertdangerbyrd.com/tag/mount-elbert-co

Photo Gallery: www.robertdangerbyrd.com/gallery/mount-elbert

GPS Track: www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2920123

You will find the post climb content and status for all of my highpoints here: www.robertdangerbyrd.com/us-state-highpoint-list

© 2014 Robert Danger Byrd