High Pointers Takes Climbers To The Top

Jim Lockart may not have climbed the world’s tallest mountian Mount Everest, but he has plenty of high peaks under his belt. Lockart of Pughtown, Pennsylvania is part of a unique group who have scaled all 50 states’ highest peaks.

Since its formation in 1986, the club, High Pointers, has initiated roughly 60 peek lovers in to its exclusive group. The criteria: climb to the highest point in every state, ranging from Alaska’s Mount McKinley (20,320 feet) to Florida’s Britton Hill (345 feet).

But reaching the all the highest state summits in the U.S. hasn’t stop Lockart. The 70-year-old has turned his sights on to high places outside the states. So far, he’s conquered the tallest mountains on five continents and recently returned from a trip where he climbed Mount Elbrus in the Republic of Georgia.

“I said, ‘Well, I want to do the high peak over here, that high peak over there,”‘ Lockart said. “Then, I went to foreign countries and asked, ‘Where’s your highest peak?’ ”

“He’s an amazing guy,” added Jim Gurnham, 62, a professional climber and owner of the Gurnham Group, the adventure travel agency that led the expedition to the top of Mount Elbrus. Lockart was one of two in the group who reached the summit. “I have a long way to catch up with him.”

To reach the top, Lockart has used equipment ranging from crampons and 60-pound packs to light weight hiking boots and a trail guide.

For more information on the High Pointers Club, visit http://www.highpointers.com/default.htm.