As a fellow highpointing couple, we want to speak to other highpoint and adventuring couples.
“My father considered a walk among the mountains as the equivalent of churchgoing.” – Aldous Huxley
Highpointing Tips
The first thing in the sports of State Highpointing is considering “SAFETY” from all angles and all perspectives. Hiking and mountain climbing involves a great deal of risk and prioritizing safety means being prepared for any situation.
Below is our 4 safety rules of Highpointing that we are following and we will be following throughout this entire endeavor.
“Knowledge is power on the trail. Know how to keep yourself and your group safe every time you go out.”
KNOWLEDGE & PROPER GEAR
We’re watching YouTube videos, reading blogs, reading books, learning about proper gear use and everything that is in our power to make ourselves educated with mountaineering gears and mountaineering in general.
Read: Altitude Mountain Sickness
STAY TOGETHER
Most of our hikes will be just two of us together, but we will also be doing some group hikes. The plan is to:
A.) Stay with the crowd when hiking as a solo couple.
B.) Stay with the group at all times during the group hike.
TURN BACK
If one of us are feeling not well, sick or if we are overly exhausted or tired, our motto is to turn back and come back later. Money and time are secondary to life. You cannot put a price tag or time tag on the value of human life. For us, staying safe, staying alive and staying together is more important than finishing our goal.
Now, having said that, we also know that we are hardcore, and no matter how many times we may have to “turn back”, we will come again and we will keep coming until we reach to the summit and hike back to the camp. In other words, we are not afraid to screw our plans or change our plans.
Read: A Practical Guide to Highpointing: Best Time to Hike
BACKUP PLAN
Emergencies happen. Situations happen. Bad things can happen. Unplanned events do come up. Therefore everyone needs a “Plan B” or an “exit strategy”.When we are hiking solo, we will be sharing our trip information with our close friends and family and we will be requesting that they contact us every 12-24 hours by phone. We will be calling back and informing our emergency contact before and after each hike.
When we hike solo, we share our trip information with our close friends and family and we request them that they contact us every 12-24 hours by phone. We call back too. Inform a few close people and share your emergency contact numbers during each hike.
“Most falls and injuries occur when hikers are descending a trail.”
BACKPACK PACKING LIST
This is our listing of the clothing and equipment that we bring to almost all of our hikes. (If you are new to mountain climbing and hiking, it’s important to remember that you must know how to use these. Just carrying them with you won’t help much in times of need).
- Map
- Compass
- Guidebook
- GPS Watch
- Hiking poles
- Flashlight
- Matches
- Cigarette Lighter
- First Aid Kit (with personal medication, if any)
- Whistle
- Swiss Pocket Knife
- Warm Clothing (layer jackets, long pants, woolen hat, full-body long underwears)
- Climbing Helmet
- Dry Food & 500 ml Bottled Water
- Water Bottle with Water Purification
- Rain/Wind Jacket & Pants
- Sturdy Footwear (Mountaineering Boots)
- Trash Bags
- Insect Repellant
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Gloves
- Cord & Ropes
- DSLR Camera with accessories
- GoPro Camera with accessories
- iPhones with add-on battery & charging cord
- Selfie stick for iPhone
Read: A International Couple Climbing All 50 US State Highpoints
OVERNIGHT TRIPS
- Tent
- Sleeping Bag
- Foam Pad
- Stove
- Fuel
- Pots, Cup, Bowl, Spoon
- More Food
- Travel kit (Toothbrush, etc), Small Towel, Extra Underwear & Socks
FYI Fact: “The Alpine zone is the area above treeline.”
ALPINE ZONE, AVALANCHE TERRAIN
- Avalanche Transceiver
- Avalanche Probe
- Small Snow Shovel
- Insulated Boots
- Overmitts
- Snowshoes
- Ice Axe
- Crampons
- Face Mask
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If you would like to share your thoughts, please feel free to leave a comment and I would love to read it. If you have already climbed or have been to some of the state highpoints, please share about your experiences.