Just for fun: how big does a rock on the top of a mountain have to be to qualify as the actual summit?
Most people would say the summit block on Sunlight (huge boulder weighing many tons) is the actual summit.
From memory, I think there is a pretty good sized rock (not boulder sized though) on the top of Snowmass (hoping to see that this August myself). Is it the actual summit, or just a rock on the actual summit?
I don't know know too many people though who quibble about actually standing on say, a one cubic foot rock that happens to be the highest rock on the summit.
So how big is big enough?
Sean Nunn
Peculiar, MO
Philosophical question concerning the summit of a mountain
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seannunn
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Philosophical question concerning the summit of a mountain
"Thy righteousness is like the great mountains."
--Psalm 36:6
--Psalm 36:6
Re: Philosophical question concerning the summit of a mountain
Size of rock doesn't matter.
It's what you do with it.
Tiny rock? You still touch the tip for a summit.
Huge rock? You still touch the tip.
d_baker
Prescott, AZ
It's what you do with it.
Tiny rock? You still touch the tip for a summit.
Huge rock? You still touch the tip.
d_baker
Prescott, AZ
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HikerGuy
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Re: Philosophical question concerning the summit of a mountain
Touching the tip is key!
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josephnephi
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Re: Philosophical question concerning the summit of a mountain
The paradigm used by Lists of John (and all the LiDAR analysis for the peak elevations on this site and LoJ) is that the summit is the highest natural rock/dirt regardless of rock size. Wind shelters, summit cairns, or vegetation are therefore excluded when finding summit/saddle elevations.
Personally, I feel that a summit requires actually standing (having at least one foot under control) on the highest point, however, I think touching the summit with your hand is still a valid summit criteria that other's might have. In cases of extremely flat summits, I think making a good faith effort to stand on all apparent high points within a couple meters of the LiDAR derived summit coordinates counts.
I've found that with all the peakbaggers I know (me included) are very, very concerned with standing on the highest point and will often stand on every possible candidate just to be sure. For example, I plan to reclimb Woods Mountain (a high 12er) to the LiDAR summit because I initially only tagged the lower east summit when I climbed it in the dark and therefore don't feel it counts as a legit summit.
Personally, I feel that a summit requires actually standing (having at least one foot under control) on the highest point, however, I think touching the summit with your hand is still a valid summit criteria that other's might have. In cases of extremely flat summits, I think making a good faith effort to stand on all apparent high points within a couple meters of the LiDAR derived summit coordinates counts.
I've found that with all the peakbaggers I know (me included) are very, very concerned with standing on the highest point and will often stand on every possible candidate just to be sure. For example, I plan to reclimb Woods Mountain (a high 12er) to the LiDAR summit because I initially only tagged the lower east summit when I climbed it in the dark and therefore don't feel it counts as a legit summit.
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Mtnman200
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Re: Philosophical question concerning the summit of a mountain
Here are some examples of reaching the summit.
- Randy on the Snowmass Mtn. summit.jpg (68.93 KiB) Viewed 313 times
- A 21-year old Mtnman200 on Sunlight Peak.jpg (201.76 KiB) Viewed 313 times
- Whitney Peak (13,276').JPG (230.32 KiB) Viewed 309 times
"Adventure without risk is not possible." - Reinhold Messner
