We are currently guiding our earthship towards Houston and will dock this evening concluding our 4 state highpoint north central trip. It was the longest trip we have taken in the coach, and except for a few minor mechanical challenges all went smoothly.
It was a fun trip, and we experienced some parts of America that few people see, and created many new memories.
On Saturday August 22nd, 2015 I stood atop Harney Peak with my good friend and climbing partner Rick Overholt who flew up to Climb Harney Peak for the second time. Harney Peak was the second of the 4 state highpoints completed during our 2015 North Central Trip and it was #31 out of the 50 states for me.
It’s a dramatic mountain, and I understand why Rick went back again. The climb was easy but interesting for both of us and we found ourselves involved in rescuing lost hikers in the end.
You will find the entire Trip Report here.
Highpoint Statistics:
Summit Date:Monday August 24th, 2015
State: South Dakota
Elevation: 7,242
US Rank: 15
Distance: 7 Miles
Round Trip Time: 6.5 Hours
Highpoint Links:
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Trip Report
You will find, status, photo galleries and trip reports for all of my adventures on the Highpoints Page.
Below are some of my favorite photos from the climb, and you can find the entire Photo Gallery here.
Just delivered kids back to trailhead where search and rescue was staging from. Everyone was very relieved and they gave us the key to the city.
We found the kids walking along the road and are taking them back up the mountain.
Back at the trailhead. Was large group of kids leaving the summit as we came up & 3 are lost. Offered to help, but rangers declined.
Standing on the 7,242′ summit of Harney Peak SD. It is overcast, cold and freakishly windy. Despite that the scenery is breathtaking.
Beautiful terrain w unique rock formations. Temp is 48F w strong winds. Feels like rain is coming. Missed summit trail, doubling back now. Next stop summit.
Rick and I decided to start Harney Peak a bit later so we could enjoy the scenery going up. Should be midway up mountain at sunrise. Leaving trailhead now.
Rick flew in to join me on Harney Peak which we are climbing tomorrow. We are making an early start with the goal of a sunrise summit. Harney is a beautiful climb, and we will miss the ascent as it will be dark, but being at the summit during sunrise offers some spectacular photographic opportunities.
For the last few days we have been relaxing in the Black Hills of South Dakota. One of the best things about the highpointing is that it has taken us to wonderful places that we would never have gone otherwise. The Black Hills area is just such a place, and if you are looking for a great place to take your family, visit the Black Hills and tell them Danger sent you. It won’t get you any extra perks, but it sounds really cool.
By the time you read this, Susan and I will be on the road driving clear across the country all the way to North Dakota. Good Lord willing, we will complete the highest points in Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota & South Dakota where we will spend some extra time visiting Mt Rushmore and other local interesting places of which there are many. My old friend and Rick Overholt and his girlfriend Kathy Glynn will fly into South Dakota and join us for South Dakota. Rick enjoyed it so much the first time, he wanted to climb it again.
We will be traveling in our 1999 motor coach we call “BigByrd” and have been remodeling since we bought it in 2012 and its now ready for prime time. We have taken a number of trips already in it, but this will be the longest one yet.
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