Lucy Westlake at 12 Claims to Be Youngest to Summit the Lower 48


Congratulations Lucy Westlake of Naperville, Illinois, who was 12 years, 8 months and 18 days old when she claimed to be the youngest girl to complete all 48 states. The article notes that the family does not have a television and instead travels.

Unofficial List of Highpointing Records

The Highpointers Club cannot verify most records — particularly speed record claims as we do not have people deployed to verify times. However there of course is interest in the claims. John Mitchler tracks these claims.

Summitpost offers a nice article on highpointing and one sub-section lists some records:

Arthur H. Marshall was the first to complete all state highpoints–when there were only 48 (1936). John “Vin” Hoeman was the first to complete all 50 state highpoints in 1966. In 1980, Frances “Freddie” Carter became the first woman and the fifth person to complete the fifty. Jeff and Jerry Wagener became the first father and son to complete in 1990. The American Edition of the Guinness Book of Records lists the Highpoint Hoppers as the record holders for reaching the highest point in each of the 48 contiguous states–one month (July 1-31, 1991). However, in 2006, Jack Meyers (English) completed the 48 in 23 days, 19 hours and 31 minutes. In 1991, Donna and Jack Allsup became the first husband and wife to complete all fifty. Kip and Norm Smith completed “All 50 – Over the Age of 60” and became the first husband and wife team to have completed all fifty state highpoints together in 1992. Whit Rambach and Todd Huston established a time record for completing all fifty state highpoints in 1994. It was 66 days, 21 hours and 47 minutes (Todd has only one leg!). Huston wrote a book about his experiences (1995). The current record is 43 days, 3 hours, 51 min, 9 sec by Mike and Matt Moniz (2010). Cal Dunwoody (77) is the oldest to complete the 50 state highpoints. David Keaton is first (1996) in the 750 Club, that is, the first to complete the summits of the 7 continents and the 50 State Highpoints.

Below you will see the unofficial records as of August, 2018. Club members receive updates to these records in the “Apex to Zenith” newsletter.

2018 Records of 50 Completers

Kristen Kelliher is Youngest Female Completer (17)

Kristen Kelliher from Hanover, NH, is the youngest female to complete 48 states (17 years, 4 months, and 13 days). She completed on Mount Mansfield on September 11, 2011. The previous record was Danielle Birrer, was 18 years, 4 days old, in 2000. The photo above is on Boundary Peak in 2006. Be sure to check out her gallery which has summit shots from 48 states.