Highpoint 19 of 50, Part 1. Mark Zimmer on New York's highest point.

Trying to find Maryland's highpoint

When climbing the highest point in Maryland, I would recommend that you follow one valuable bit of advice: do not be fooled by false summits. I came close to being fooled myself; really close, scary close actually. When I say scary close, I mean that I had taken all of my pictures, filmed my video, packed my gear, and starting to walk down when my co-climber suggested that we check out where a side trail went. It turned out that it went to the summit I was supposed to have been standing on in the first place.

Like many of the other highpoints that I have climbed in the past, Backbone Mountain, sits right on the border of the state. In this situation, it sits on the Maryland/West Virginia border. Part of the hike actually is in West Virginia. It is because of this that there are a few extra markers indicating the state line that look an awful lot like the markers that are used to indicate a highpoint. Add some age and moss to the markers, and you have a recipe for confused highpointers.

The best way to avoid this problem is to use GPS coordinates while hiking. These are available on a number of different highpointing sites. I should have known better on this one, and I won’t be making this same mistake any time soon. A false summit, and finding the correct summit, is a challenge that most don’t think about until they start reaching some of the easier highpoints. When climbing a 14er, there is little doubt on where the top is. Put yourself in the middle of the woods, when the trail goes up and down all the way to the peak, and it gets a little more complicated.

All the best!

Mark

PS The two pictures attached are of me at the summit and the false summit. When I am standing next to the cement marker, I am actually in the wrong spot. Pretty hard to tell the difference, huh?

Highpoint 13 of 50. Part 1, Mark Zimmer on top of Alabama's Highest Point

How we help

I would say that the most difficult things over the course of my efforts thus far is to show individuals how what I am doing helps the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association, “to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.” It is a serious mission, and I feel that when I am out climbing mountains, it is sometimes difficult to imagine that what I am doing has any real effect on curing Alzheimer’s. Who is to say that I am not just out trying to get a free vacation?

I am happy to say that this is not the case, and although I guess there is no real way to know if I am telling the truth, one should take comfort in knowing that all scams eventually come to an end. But no, I am not a scammer. So far, every cent put towards my climbs has come out of my pocket. 100% of the donations received have gone to the Alzheimer’s Association. On top of that, my effort to raise awareness by climbing at least triples the amount of planning time for each trip. Contacting media, knowing where I will be each hour,setting up meetings and presentations, it all adds up. I have a great time, I really do, but there is much more to Summit Up than just a vacation.

The true value that I am able to bring to the table comes from the interest in my climbs among people who wouldn’t otherwise have much of an interest in Alzheimer’s. If Alzheimer’s is truly going to be eliminated, then we need the best minds in the country working on it.Often the best minds are still in or just out of college, a demographic not traditionally affected by Alzheimer’s. After each of my climbs and after each time a story is done on Summit Up, I get numerous emails letting me know how my climbs have inspired them to do something to help. Sometimes it is for Alzheimer’s; sometimes it is for something else. Either way, we are making a difference by starting the movement that is necessary for any change to happen. My climbs are surely not an end to the problem, but I hope and continually work to make them the launching point for a young generation motivated to end Alzheimer’s before it is too late for them to do so.
Have a great week!