From Alaska to Florida, a small band of adventurers has embarked on an ambitious quest: to see America from every angle. Meet the "highpointers," a group of intrepid travelers with a singular goal – to summit the highest point in each of the 50 states.
Their odyssey took Conor Knighton to California's Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States. Here, Chris and Lisa Leahey are about to embark on their fourth highpointing expedition. "I've been chasing this dream for years," says Chris, a seasoned outdoorsman. The thrill of watching sunrises from the summit of 14,505-foot Mt. Whitney is one thing – but it's the journey that truly matters.
Knighton also spoke with Matt and Laura, who recently summited North Carolina's Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. "It was a challenge," admits Laura, a high school teacher from North Carolina, "but the views were breathtaking." The couple documented their climb on social media, sharing their experiences with thousands of followers.
Knighton's travels also took him to Florida, where Britton Hill stands as the state's highest point at 345 feet. Here, he spoke with Tom and Susan, a pair who summited the hill in under an hour. "We're not exactly mountaineers," admits Tom, "but we figured it couldn't be that hard." Their enthusiasm was palpable – if not entirely justified.
As Knighton's journeys take him across America, one theme emerges: the beauty of this vast and varied nation. Each summit offers a unique perspective on the country below – from rugged mountains to rolling hills, and even the flat expanse of Florida's panhandle. Whether viewed from above or gazed upon in awe, each highpoint is a testament to the diversity and resilience of America.
The journey itself is where true adventure lies, Knighton notes. "There are long hikes, inclement weather, and sheer physical exhaustion – but every step brings you closer to your goal." The reward? A comprehensive understanding of this vast and wondrous land.
Their odyssey took Conor Knighton to California's Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States. Here, Chris and Lisa Leahey are about to embark on their fourth highpointing expedition. "I've been chasing this dream for years," says Chris, a seasoned outdoorsman. The thrill of watching sunrises from the summit of 14,505-foot Mt. Whitney is one thing – but it's the journey that truly matters.
Knighton also spoke with Matt and Laura, who recently summited North Carolina's Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. "It was a challenge," admits Laura, a high school teacher from North Carolina, "but the views were breathtaking." The couple documented their climb on social media, sharing their experiences with thousands of followers.
Knighton's travels also took him to Florida, where Britton Hill stands as the state's highest point at 345 feet. Here, he spoke with Tom and Susan, a pair who summited the hill in under an hour. "We're not exactly mountaineers," admits Tom, "but we figured it couldn't be that hard." Their enthusiasm was palpable – if not entirely justified.
As Knighton's journeys take him across America, one theme emerges: the beauty of this vast and varied nation. Each summit offers a unique perspective on the country below – from rugged mountains to rolling hills, and even the flat expanse of Florida's panhandle. Whether viewed from above or gazed upon in awe, each highpoint is a testament to the diversity and resilience of America.
The journey itself is where true adventure lies, Knighton notes. "There are long hikes, inclement weather, and sheer physical exhaustion – but every step brings you closer to your goal." The reward? A comprehensive understanding of this vast and wondrous land.
! They're literally summiting every state in America, and their stories are so inspiring! I mean, can you imagine hiking for hours to reach the highest point in Florida? 
345 feet might not seem like a lot, but it's still a challenge!
it's mind-blowing!
I mean, who wouldn't want to see America from every angle? 
It's like, the ultimate road trip... but with mountains! 
). But hey, at least it shows us that every state has its own unique charm! 
And I love how they're documenting their adventures on social media... it's like a virtual scrapbook of America's best-kept secrets. 
. They're not just about the views from the top, but the journey itself too... like, they have to hike and deal with bad weather and stuff 
. It's all about the adventure, you know? 
. And can we talk about how cool it is that people like Chris and Lisa Leahey are documenting their climbs on social media? I mean, I love watching sunrise vids from a summit, but hearing the story behind them is what really gets me 
. Got to think about how crazy it's gonna be when they finally complete that whole highpointing thing... like what'll be next? Climbing all the highest bridges or something 
I mean, it's still a great achievement and all, but it feels like a bit of an afterthought compared to the massive peaks out west. I'm curious to see how they tackle some of the tougher states next. 
these highpointers are like the ultimate #adventurers 
for now. Those 50-state hikes sound like a total marathon (and possibly a few injuries 
). Still, I can respect the determination and dedication that goes into these expeditions. Maybe they're onto something with this whole "appreciating America's diversity" vibe 
but florida's britton hill is still super cool? 345 feet or whatever 
gotta respect the journey over the destination for me tho... like, it's not just about reaching the top, but the people you meet & experiences along the way 
I mean, who wouldn't want to see America from every angle? The stories about Mt Whitney, Mount Mitchell, and even Florida's Britton Hill are just crazy 
I mean, what's the point of even trying? It's not like they're going to reach every single peak or anything. They'll probably get stuck on some backcountry trail for days, freezing their bums off. And don't even get me started on the documentation – all those selfies with mountains in the background just to gain a few thousand followers. 
. for me, the best part is seein how each state's highpoint offers a diff perspective on our beautiful mess of a country 
. we need more ppl like these highpointers who show us that even in the wilderness, there's beauty & wonder waitin to be found 
the journey itself is def the most important part tho - it's all about pushin thru tough times & seein the country in a whole new light 
.
. And it's awesome to see these ordinary people tackling this incredible challenge 
. who knows what hidden gems I'll stumble upon on my own adventures? 
we had to hike for like 4 hours in the dark and then wake up at 2am to catch the sunrise which was honestly the best morning of my life