A light-hearted account of two close friends accomplishing an American odyssey. Adventurer Joe Glickman and his friend, outdoor photographer Nels Akerlund, tell of their completed 50-state quest which began in 1994, when, over glasses of beer, they hatched a plan to climb America's 50 state summits while documenting the expedition. Expecting the exercise to take six months, Joe and Nels found themselves embarking on a five-year marathon.

The highpoints of the fifty states range from Alaska's 20,320 foot high Mount McKinley to 345 feet at Lakewood Park in Florida. Some highpoints, such as Mount Mitchell in North Carolina and New Hampshire's Mount Washington can be reached by automobile on a sightseeing drive. Others such as Colorado's Mount Elbert or Mount Marcy in New York are accessible as wilderness day hikes. Still others, such as Mount Rainier in Washington or Gannett Peak in Wyoming, are strenuous and risky mountaineering challenges that should be attempted only by experienced climbers. Whatever your level of skill and interest, Highpoints of the United States offers a diverse range of experiences. Arranged alphabetically by state, each listing has a map, photographs, and information on trailhead, main and alternative routes, elevation gain, and conditions. Historical and natural history notes are also included, as are suggestions for specific guidebooks to a region or climb. Appendices include a list of highpoints by region, by elevation, and a personal log for the unashamed "peak-bagger." Whether you're an armchair hiker or a seasoned climber, interested only in your state's highest point or all fifty, this book will be an invaluable companion and reference.

A newly updated guide to highpoints in all 50 states

Climb every mountain ... or fifty state highpoints. Douglas Butler set out on a quest, a long-held dream, to hike, trek or climb to the highest geographical point of each state. But he did not race from mountain to mountain; instead his was a journey of discovery, traveling throughout our nation, studying our history, seeing our land and meeting our people. He carried a journal and camera along with an innate curiosity and love of adventure. In this book, A Walk Atop America - Fifty State Summits and a Dream to Reach Them All, he lovingly and vividly recounts that journey. Come share the adventur.