Introductions

Kings Peak, northeastern Utah. King's is the mostly white peak in the background on the right.
Credit: Hyrum K. WrightGNU Free Documentation License Version 1.2

Welcome to the official blog of the Utah High-point Society. This year a group of people will set out to summit the top ten high-points in Utah. These summits will be judged on both USGS (United States Geological Survey) elevations and Topographical Prominence. Our goal is to summit these from 10-Kings (King's Peak is the highest point in Utah) depending on possible weather and mountain conditions for time of year. I'm going to dig in to the excellent outdoor community of Utah to get the best information available on when to go and how to do it safely.
Throughout the upcoming weeks I'll be posting detailed information about the schedule and locations we will be traveling to as well as outdoor tips and information for those without a lot of experience. In the mean time go get a book on backpacking or mountaineering and get reading. Another good thing to do would be to get outside and begin conditioning. King's is about 30 miles round trip and if you haven't been physically active it won't be very fun.


If you are interested in joining us please go ahead and leave a comment and I will contact you. We are starting small with our group comprised of friends and friends of friends but don't let that stop you from taking the leap and asking to join us if you have the desire. It doesn't take long to become a friend while climbing a mountain. How many people do you know who have climbed the top ten highest points in our home state? I don't know any.  So become one of them this year.


Books to read:

This is a good resource for Orienteering or how to find your way without GPS, road signs or someone to guide you.

The Essential Wilderness Navigator: How to Find Your Way in the Great Outdoors, Second Edition

(David Seidman, Paul Cleveland)

The "Bible" of mountain climbing. Has everything from basics to advanced techniques and instruction.

Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills

(The Mountaineers)

Incredibly entertaining book on the basics of life outdoors. The illustrations by Mike Clelland are both hilarious and amazing. Both guys are NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) instructors. 
Allen and Mike's Really Cool Backpackin' Book: Traveling & camping skills for a wilderness environment
(Allen O'Bannon, Mike Clelland)

If you have any pressing matters that need my attention you can email me at UtahHPS@gmail.com