By Roger Rowlett
- Chairman Column: 2004-05 Board Election Results
- Interview with Mary Maurer and George Vandersluis
- Jan Anthony and Wayne Todd Complete 50
- Zerphey Wins Outside Contest
- Backpacker Magazine Begins Highpoint Series
- More on 2004 Convention
- Introduction to Washington County Highpointing
- Introduction to Alabama County Highpointing
- and much more!
Results of 2004-05 Board Election
I always have a theory that nobody reads any of the formal officer columns in the newsletter.
Most of us would rather hike than worry about board meetings.
But there are some big decisions that affect our hobby that we have to deal with collectively – including negotiating for access to privately owned highpoints and working out some sort of real world memorial to our leader and hobby. There are day to day decisions and budgets on a club with accounts in three states (Membership in Tennessee, the Merc in Oklahoma and the Newsletter in Colorado). We have to manage the quarterly news magazine and web site. And there’s always folks bringing initiatives.
So, I was delighted to see that we had a record number of nine contestants running for five Board of Directors positions this year. The election turned out to also be the closest in the Club’s history and the results were not finalized until the end of May. I want to thank Ken Akerman for his handling of the counting.
The returning incumbents are John Mitchler, Mary Maurer and myself. We want to welcome new board members Kevin Baker and Chuck Bickes. Kevin has a financial background and that will be very helpful as we replace the only treasurer the club ever had – George Vandersluis. George is stepping down from the position to provide an orderly transition for the new treasurer (before going out George spent umpteen hours putting together our application for 501-c-7 tax exempt status – which was approved this quarter).
Chuck Bickes of course has volunteered over the past few years to give up his holidays to host the Open Access dates on Jerimoth Hill. Chuck (along with Stony Burke) turned this difficult situation into a cause for celebration and mini conventions.
I want to thank the others who were very close in the running including – Rick Hartman (our eloquent Nevada advocate) , Robert Hyman (a board member who just this quarter did a great job of getting the ball rolling for formal recognition of the highpoint of Washington, DC), Jim Sutton (who gave us that memorable Jack Longacre song at the Illinois Convention) and Tonya Sykes (who has done a great job helping us choose between 501-c-3 or 501-c-7 for filing). This for me personally was the hardest ballot I ever had to deal with. I wish everybody could have been elected.
I also want to thank Gene Elliott who stepped down because of time conflicts. Gene and Lillian of course have done a spectacular job managing Maryland.
The board has elected officers:
Dave Covill stepped forward to avert a miniconsitutional crisis to add the job of Treasurer to his crowded Highpointing plate which already includes the newsletter co-editor position and Rhode Island advocate (the crisis was over a requirement that all officers have at least one year board requirement – Kevin Baker has indicated he would be interested in the job but he did not qualify this year because this is his first year).
Mary Maurer, a woman of many hats (many of which are described elsewhere in the newsletter), is back as Secretary.
The legendary Don Holmes has returned as President.
And I guess you’re stuck reading (or not reading) my Chairman Column for another year.
The stars are aligning for a spectacular convention this summer in Washington. If you are interested seeing why “hiking seemed easier before we got organized” you can attend our Board Meeting at 1 p.m., on Friday, July 23, at the Convention Headquarters at the Puyallup Fairgrounds.
Interview With Mary Maurer and George Vandersluis
It’s hard to imagine what the Highpointers Club would be like without the efforts of Mary Maurer and George Vandersluis who have teamed up to some of the hardest, unsung jobs in the past 10 years.
They hosted back to back conventions in 1993 and 1994 in South Dakota and New Mexico (the only people to host more than one convention). They have been on the Board of Directors since the Club started having a board in 1998 (they’re the only married couple to do that – the bylaws permit married couples on the board as long as they have separate memberships).
George has been the club’s only treasurer since Jack Longacre turned over responsibilities for this in 1998. It’s a job that evolved from one simple account in one state to the national club we are now with several accounts in three states (Colorado, Oklahoma, and Tennessee). This past winter and fall George has spent countless hours organizing the accounts in preparation for filing the proper 501-c-7 application for IRS recognition of the club.
This past year Mary was secretary in addition to her duties collecting money for the Illinois 2003 Convention.
Mary and George, winners of a Vin Hoeman Award, have both said they would like to step down from their formal officer duties this year.
What was your first highpoint? George: Officially, Mt. Whitney in September 1968. The second was Mt. Elbert in August, 1969. It was downhill after that for everything else in the lower 48 after doing the two highest. Years earlier, I had walked over the top of Spruce Knob on a field trip, but returned years later to do it officially.
Mary: Guadalupe Peak, Texas, during the 1990 convention
Why did you start highpointing? George: I really didn’t “start” highpointing. My love for the mountains started in 1952 and 1953 when I hiked in Glacier National Park, MT, with my father, Richard. In the 1960’s I lived in Farmington, NM, and began climbing the highest peaks of the ranges in the Four Corners area of the southwest. By 1978 I had completed the peaks in Colorado above 14,000 feet. That year, Barb Byron and I formed the “Peak a Week” club with the idea of averaging one peak for each week of the year. The first few years we hiked or climbed more than 80 peaks a year. By 1987 when Jack Longacre founded the Highpointers Club, I had been to the summit of several hundred peaks including the highest point in 36 states. It didn’t occur to me that doing all of the state highpoints was a big deal. I assumed that a few hundred people had accomplished that already. When I read the Associated Press article about Jack and Don Berens being only the 7th and 8th persons to reach all 50 state highpoints, my thinking changed. Mary called Jack in 1987, and we became Highpointers! I reached the summit of McKinley in 1988, and finished the remaining 13 by the summer of 1989 to become the 11th person to do all 50.
Mary: Because George was highpointing and I wanted to be with him!
How did you find the highpoints before Don’s and Paul’s books? George: There was no problem finding the prominent peaks that I did first: California, Colorado, New Mexico, Washington, Hawaii, etc. Most highway maps get you close enough, and there were other guidebooks for the higher peaks. Frank Ashley published his “Highpoints of the States” in 1970. This was useful for the less prominent highpoints, but unfortunately became outdated. I had to return to Michigan in 1989 to do Mt. Arvon as my last state highpoint after climbing Mt. Curwood ten years earlier.
How did you meet? George: Through a mutual friend. I was very lucky to have Mary come into my life.
Mary: George & I share a very dear friend who asked me if she could give George my phone number in 1985. I was not really in the mood to meet anyone, but she is a real nagger, so I finally said “You may give him my number, but just make sure he knows that all I’m interested in is going to movies or hiking with him!” So, she gave George my number, but he was a little slow about calling me. Our friend kept asking him if he had called. Finally, so that she would quit bugging him, he called. He began the conversation with “Anny told me to call and she keeps bugging me so I finally decided to call so that she will quit bugging me”….And, then, he realized what he was saying and felt embarrassed! I just laughed since I know how persistent she can be!
Our first date was a walk in Denver, where we discovered lots in common, including the fact that we have lived in many of the same places over time, sometimes at the same time. George graduated from my rival high school in Ohio, but we didn’t know each other then! I knew this was going to be a unique relationship when George’s first gift to me was a pair of gaiters! I truly feel that we were meant to be together.
I am one lucky person to have met this caring, wonderful man with whom I am spending my life!
What’s your background (birthplace, kids, education, job, etc.)?
George: I lived in 5 states before graduating from high school. I was born in North Dakota, moved to the north edge of the Black Hills in South Dakota, then to Wisconsin, and on to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where I spent 10 years canoeing, camping, and returning in the summers to the western U.S. I completed high school in Lima, Ohio (where Mary was born and raised). Two degrees in geology were obtained from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
I have two wonderful daughters, Laurie Vandersluis Sullivan, and Suzan Vandersluis, by a previous marriage. Both have been Highpointers and accompanied me on several climbs. They have attended several conventions and helped with registration at the 1994 New Mexico Convention.
Work as a geologist has included assignments in 35 to 40 states, and at least 20 foreign countries. As Chief Geologist for Dravo International, I had work assignments on every continent except the Antarctic in one 18 month period. A lot of interesting and sometimes dangerous places: Pakistan, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Colombia, Rwanda, Bulgaria, Turkey, Australia, etc.
Mary: I was born in Lima, Ohio. I have one son from a previous marriage who will be 40 (YIKES!!) next November! I have a masters degree in Social Work Gerontology from the University of Denver. My entire career was spent working with older adults, beginning with outreach work, looking for seniors to attend a meal program, delivering meals to their homes as needed, and ending with managing one of the best assisted living facilities in Colorado for 10 years. Now, I am semi-retired, but work a couple days a week in the wonderful Montrose United Methodist Church.
I had not intended to live in Colorado. I moved from Bakersfield, California to attend Graduate School at the University of Denver. I expected to attend DU, get my degree and return home to warm, sunny California; however, I fell in love with Colorado and stayed.
I had done a few back packs and some short hikes, but never anything like I have done with George.
How did you find out about the club?
George: A 1987 Associate Press newspaper article was sent to us by a friend who knew I had done several state highpoints.
Mary: A friend of ours gave us a notice from a newspaper about the Highpointers. I phoned our “Jakk”, had a wonderful long conversation, and three years later we went to the Highpoint Convention in Texas!!
How long have you been treasurer? George: Since 1998 (way too long)
What are some of the complications of handling club finances? George: In 1998 I was asked if I would be on the Board of Directors and, if so, would I assume the job of Treasurer. Being asked was an honor, and at the time it looked like a simple job. Jack Longacre had done everything for the club prior to 1998. He only had one account and tabulated all his financial dealings on a handwritten sheet of paper. I’m not a bookkeeper or accountant, but I have been a treasurer for other organizations. All that seemed to be required was keeping track of contributions and account totals. Things changed in a hurry: Craig Noland became Membership Chairman and received most of the dues and contributions: an account in Tennessee was required. John Mitchler and Dave Covill became editors of the Newsletter, and an account was needed for them in Colorado. Then separate accounts were set up for the Good Guys and Gals Fund, and the Zumwalt Fund. It became necessary to set up a General Fund for the Treasurer. A Prepaid Dues account was established to contain monies from people who had paid more than one-years dues at renewal time. Jean Trousdale opened the Club Mercantile and began selling club pins, T-shirts, etc. Consequently an account was necessary in Oklahoma. The Illinois 2003 Convention also needed an account which used the Club’s EIN.
With transfers going on between these accounts, and with contributions being deposited directly into accounts by people other than the Treasurer—the job rapidly became more than just keeping track on a simple piece of paper.
How much time a month do you spend doing this? George: Someone trained as an accountant or bookkeeper could probably do this task in a couple of hours each month. It takes me longer.
What was the rationale for the fiscal year ending in June (and then in calendar year)? George: Initially there wasn’t an official fiscal year. Jack kept track of dues which went for typing and mailing the newsletter. Dues started at $2 and then went to $5. Essentially all the money went for the newsletter. With less than 100 members it was easy to keep track of people and money. Then Don Holmes wrote the Bylaws and filed for corporate, non-profit status in Colorado. The Treasurers responsibilities included an annual report and it seemed reasonable to end the fiscal year on June 30th which was usually about a month before the convention and board of directors meeting. We just recently changed to the calendar year when the Club filed for Non-Profit Status as a 501-c-7 with the IRS.
What was involved in preparing the 501-c-7 application? George: The financial portion of the 501-c-7 was a real chore. It was necessary to go back through four years of dues, contributions, awards, back issues, compendiums, conventions, credits, debits, transfers, inventories, etc. for all the accounts in order to satisfy the requirements of the IRS. I initially did this for the July to June fiscal year. Jean Trousdale at the Club Mercantile had to go through sales and inventories for the past years. She did this on a calendar year basis. That and other circumstances made it advisable to re-do everything on a calendar-year schedule. The time for Jean and I to do this was measured in weeks.
What suggestions do you have for improving the handling of club finances? George: I’ll have some suggestions for the board of directors and the next treasurer, who hopefully will be more qualified than I.
What is involved with being secretary? Mary: This is probably one of the easiest jobs in the club! All that is involved is taking minutes at the annual meeting, drafting them, and sending them to the board for approval!
Do you have suggestions for the next secretary? Mary: Sure…set firm limits on how many nit picky changes you are willing to accept about the minutes! HA!
What other interests do you have? George: Mary and I travel quite a bit: visited more than 20 states last year. We lead 12 or more trips each year for the local Colorado Mountain Club Chapter, and participate in another local hiking group. We do a lot of cross country skiing, hiking, and climbing in Colorado.
Mary: Currently, my passion is whatever I am doing at the moment! So, that means it changes from day-to-day & minute-to-minute! We have 3 grandchildren that I love to spend time with. Two of them are boys. Our granddaughter is the light of my life. Not only was she our first grandchild, but I feel a very special bond with her…and her name is Mikinly (a take off on Mt. McKinley in honor of her Grandfather’s climb). I have a Xeriscape garden that requires a little time in the warmer months, but I also enjoy reading, hiking, cooking, bicycling, cross country skiing, and watching movies.
Mary, do you think you will “complete”? Mary: HA! You must be kidding!! Me, on a glacier? Me, roped up! Do you think I am crazy? Actually, when the club chose Mt. Rainer for 2004, George’s daughter, Suzan and I discussed whether or not we would make the climb. We decided that we would train for it, even if we didn’t do the climb, because it would be a good training goal. However….I spent too much time reading about the mountain and decided it just wasn’t for me. I have completed 40 highpoints and will do a few more with George’s help, but the chances of me finishing are slim since I am not crazy about snow climbs!
What other climbing lists have you pursued? George: I’ve done the highest point in each of Colorado’s 64 counties; all the named peaks or mountains (90+) in Clear Creek County Colorado; also Gilpin County, and all but 4 private peaks in Jefferson County. The “purists” say that because I haven’t done every unnamed point with greater than 300’ of relief in these counties, none of them count as “official”. It doesn’t make much difference to me; the main purpose was just to get into the mountains and hike or climb. I’ve gone back to 40 state highpoints two or more times and plan to do a few more.
My unofficial goal each year is to do 50 ascents. If a peak is on a particular list somewhere, I’ll check it off after I’ve done it. But, I haven’t kept a total list of summit climbs for years and probably can’t tell you within 200 as to how many I’ve done. The essence of climbing to me is being out in the wonder of nature’s world, traveling to new places, and, on occasion, challenging your physical and mental abilities.
Is there anything about the club or board you would change? George: Yes. I could make suggestions.
Mary: Sometimes, I feel that the Board gets bogged down in minutia, but there is really nothing I would change. My hope is that the club stays down-to-earth, in honor of Jack Longacre. He founded this club on the basis of common sense, friendship and a love of the outdoors. Let’s keep it that way.
What’s your favorite thing about highpointing? George: To answer this question it is necessary to separate the act of highpointing from the Highpointers Club. My favorite thing about highpointing was traveling to new areas, seeing new sites, and the feeling of accomplishment on most summits.
The best things about the Highpointers Club are the people. We attended our first convention in Texas in 1990, more than a year after I had completed the 50 states. The people we met there convinced me that I wanted to be an active participant of this group. People like Don Holmes, Jack and Joyce Parsell, and of course, Jack Longacre. Bob Failing was there, Freddie Carter, Don Berens, and others. Hosting back-to-back conventions in South Dakota and New Mexico gave us the opportunity to meet and know many others who became our friends. We look forward to renewing friendships with people like Ray and Jan Nelson, Charlie and Diane Winger, and so many others at each convention. It’s the people that make the Club worthwhile.
Mary: The Highpointers Club is very special to me. In 1990, when we did my first highpoint (Guadalupe Peak), I was so nervous! As we hiked along the lower trail, Rudy Vedovell was at the head of a line of about 7-8 men hiking. Rudy hollered, “Let’s all say who we are, where we are from and how many highpoints we have completed.” Well, from reading the newsletter, I knew the names of the people who had already completed many of the highpoints, and they were in this lineup! Jack Longacre, Don Berens, Bob Failing, Jack Parsell and George (approximately half the completers alive at the time). My thought was: “Boy, am I in trouble!” But I have learned over the years that this wonderful group of people (for the most part) is not into “machoing” up the highpoint. They are into enjoying the hike/climb and sharing stories about other adventures! Where else on this wonderful planet is there a group of people who come together, once a year, from all over the US, & other countries too, for a get together based on their love of getting out and seeing the world!
My favorite thing?? The camaraderie that exists among all of us!
Introduction to Washington County Highpointing
by John Roper
Washington’s 39 county high points range from the sublime to the ridiculous. We have a wonderful state up here with all sorts of fascinating topography, so there’s something for everyone. The WA cohps could be classified in groups. For additional information see the trip reports and maps at www.cohp.org.
The Volcanoes Mount Rainier, the most dominant mountain in the lower 48, draws the state highpointers here. Our other four volcanoes, Baker, Glacier, Adams, and Saint Helens top out Washington’s next four highest counties, or used to, before Saint Helens blew on May 8, 1980 and relinquished her crown to a kiss-your-sister liner on the shoulder of Adams.
The Real Mountains Bonanza Peak 9511’ is the highest non-volcanic peak in the state and has the reputation of topping one of the hardest counties in the contiguous US to climb. Mountaineering skills including rock and/or glacier experience are also required on Buckner, North Gardner, “Big Horn” (Lewis cohp), Olympus, Daniel, Gray Wolf, and Stone.
Eastern Washington and Columbia River Mountains This group includes a number of gentle, but pleasant woodsy rollers north of the Columbia River: Gypsy Peak, Abercrombie, and Copper Butte, and four along the Oregon border in the Blue Mountains above the Snake River: Oregon Butte, Diamond, Ray Ridge, and Lewis. Along the Idaho border are Mount Spokane, a paved drive-up, and Tekoa, a rough drive-up. Other cohps rising above the Columbia include Lilienthal, Badger, Rattlesnake Hills, and Indian Rock.
The Logging Counties Southwest Washington has been mauled by clearcuts, including the flanks of Grays Harbor cohp (a liner), Pacific cohp, Huckleberry, Goat, and Quiemuth.
The Island Counties Mount Constitution is a very special place that has been called the “finest marine view in America.” Camano Island is known for its 5 closed contour silliness, private property, and nettles. Gold Mountain is the cohp of Kitsap, almost an island.
The Wheat Counties Rolling wheatfields top the highest land in Adams and Franklin Counties, and Grant County is a sage hill.
Unique County “Sturgeon Fin” is a cute little basalt cockscomb on the Clark County line, approached via a trail through a glorious wildflower meadow (the result of a 1902 forest fire), and would be my recommendation for a group climb at the convention.
Introduction to Alabama County Highpointing
by Bill Jacobs
Alabama has 67 counties for your highpointing enjoyment. The southern counties are mostly an exercise in map reading with minimal access issues. Northern tier counties have more difficult terrain requiring longer hikes with an opportunity to wallow in some of the South’s finest bushwhacking.
What stands out most about the five-year adventure to finish off Alabama’s 67 counties is the cooperative effort shown by our small but spirited group.
Jackson and Madison Counties were first reached in 2001 by a contingent of nine county highpointers, all from out of state. (This county pair is a beloved “twofer”, meaning the county line straddles a mutual highest point. We may be overly rigid in our completion rules but we don’t require a second visit for a “twofer”.) In 2000, eight county highpointers, all again out of state, joined together to summit Calhoun’s Morton Mountain. Unknown to the group, the area is an unexpended ordinance field and while descending, a peeved Fort McClellan security officer intercepted the “gang” of eight. To defuse a tense situation the “gang” resorted to an age-old dodge of boring him to distraction with endless tales on the joys of highpointing. Besides, there’s no dishonor to banishment if you have already made it to the top.
The final Alabama county, Shelby, was conquered on March 6, 2004 when (20?) highpointers came together from all corners of the country. There, in front of bemused property owners, all (20?) simultaneously placed their feet on the highest point of Signal Mountain. The event was as much a celebration in completing the state as an opportunity to personally meet fellow highpointers whom we had only cybered with over the years.
Winter is certainly the best time to wander around the wilds of Alabama. Snakes are in the Underworld, prickly vines are less likely to attack, and chiggers and “no see ems” are no more. However, many approaches and county highpoints are leased to hunting clubs. So, dress like a pumpkin and carry a cowbell lest you be mistaken for prey. Of course, you run the risk of becoming a bull’s eye of an irate hunter. If longevity is of a concern, check the hunting regulations – they vary by county. Deer season is usually over by February 1.
You need to develop certain skills to be a successful Alabama highpointer: 1. The ability to distinguish between a bull and a cow. One runs from you, the other considers you a competitor to be dispatched. 2. How to negotiate a barbed wire fence with minimal impalement. Be sure you and your companion are on good terms when stretching strands for each other. 3. The eating of undoctored grits, with a smile. 4. The savvy to intelligently discuss Auburn/Alabama football games played over the last 100 years, remembering to empathize with Auburn in the south and Alabama in the north. I actually saw a Bear Bryant shrine in a gas station. If you are asking who Bear Bryant is, you may want to start county highpointing in another state.
For Southerners, Alabama is a good place to begin your county highpointing career. All you need are trip reports from “cohp.org”, a GPS, a set of good road maps, a measure of guile and charm to convince property owners you are up to no mischief, and a sense of adventure. (Don’t tell landowners you want to check out their hill for a possible antenna lease site. Or, that your boss is a tightwad and he only site-leases for $5,000 a month.)
An added bonus for Alabama highpointers is you get to meet some of the South ’s warmest and friendly folks. Enjoy.