Like the 8,000-meter peaks of the Himalayas, Colorado's "Fourteen Thousanders,"
and the fabled "Seven Summits," Washington climbers have long aspired to climb
the state's highest peaks, whether those rising above 9,000 or 10,000 feet
elevation, or all of the high volcanoes, or whatever. Lately, as climbers have
become more ambitious, the quest has been expanded to include the 100 highest
peaks in the state. Only a handful of climbers has so far accomplished this feat,
but the list grows longer each year as more and more climbers aspire to complete
their 100th highest summit. Of course, this feat is complicated, not only by
long approaches and difficult routes, but by the difficulty of defining which
peaks comprise the highest 100.
A compilation of the highest summits in Washington from the
USGS database seems like the obvious starting point,
but it is widely
ignored for two reasons. First, it leaves out many high summits that are not
officially named; and second, it includes some very minor high points,
particularly on the volcanoes (e.g., Cathedral Rocks, Disappointment Peak),
which are not really distinct peaks as far as a majority of climbers is
concerned. The various lists of the highest 100 peaks generally agree that
a peak has to rise at least 400 feet above the lowest surrounding terrain,
usually 400 feet higher than all connecting ridges and saddles, to be deemed
a distinct summit. However, using that criterion alone means summits such
as Liberty Cap and Point Success, mere sub-summits of Mount Rainier, would
be included in the list, to the disapproval of most climbers, who consider
them all part of the same mountain rather than individual summits. This
criteria also leaves out several summits that, while deemed by most to be
distinct peaks, barely failed to rise the required 400 feet above saddles
connecting them to other, higher peaks. Subsequent lists have bent the rules,
adding provisos that an officially named peak automatically makes the list,
with special distinctions for sub-summits of volcanoes, such as requiring a
volcano sub-summit to rise at least 800 feet above its connecting ridge to
qualify as a distinct summit (thereby including the popular Little Tahoma
Peak but conveniently excluding the unpopular Lincoln Peak).
So if you're on a quest to climb the highest 100 peaks in Washington, the most
difficult aspect of the venture may well be deciding which list is the "correct"
list, and which 100 summits to climb. Of course, if you climb the highest 100
summits on anybody's list, that would be a remarkable accomplishment. Each climber
must decide for himself or herself which list is the correct list. Climbers who
ignore these lists and just climb the peaks they want to climb will be far more
greatly rewarded than those who spend their time poring over maps and debating
which list is the correct list. Don't worry about which list is which; just
climb as many mountains as you can, big and small, and enjoy yourself!
Rumor has it that John Lixvar is in the process of compiling a guidebook to
the "Big Boys" that will be published by Mountaineers Books. This will be a
welcome and useful guide, if and when it is actually published.
Washington's "100 Highest Mountains"
Official USGS List
of Highest Named Summits in Washington
Highest Named Summits in each County of Washington
State
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