This is a video that I shot from the top of Mount Davis, the higest point in Pennsylvania. I am doing the videos as part of a fundraiser, so feel free to ignore the first 10-15 seconds. The rest of the video about the highpoint itself. Hope you enjoy it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDZg8HgJxJs

redneck wrote:3,213 feet? We have a mountain nearly twice as tall as that right here in Orange County, CA.

Ironic, then, how my Pennsylvanian uncle once came here and scoffed at California's mountains. I wonder what he was thinking.

I doubt he had seen what California has to offer. The most impressive eastern mountains are hills.

no doubt that the mountains in california are far more spectacular, but the ruggedness of the trails in pennsylvania have earned the state a reputation. AT hikers are often quoted as saying pennsylvania is where old boots go to die. perhaps this was what your uncle was thinking of.

MikeTX wrote:no doubt that the mountains in california are far more spectacular, but the ruggedness of the trails in pennsylvania have earned the state a reputation. AT hikers are often quoted as saying pennsylvania is where old boots go to die. perhaps this was what your uncle was thinking of.

So Pennsylvania is famous for crappy trails?

There's no comparison between the Eastern mountains and the Western mountains of the US. However, it's also not accurate to think that all Eastern mountains are crap. Size isn't everything, and there are many spectacular mountains and worthy climbs on the east coast. To name a few:

Mt Washington





Katahdin

redneck wrote:

MikeTX wrote:no doubt that the mountains in california are far more spectacular, but the ruggedness of the trails in pennsylvania have earned the state a reputation. AT hikers are often quoted as saying pennsylvania is where old boots go to die. perhaps this was what your uncle was thinking of.

So Pennsylvania is famous for crappy trails?

hah! that's one way to look at it. i think they're maintained okay - just very rocky.



that's actually in nj, but ya know it's all one big state up there to us texans.

+1 on eastern mountains being cool if you take the time to explore a little, but I wouldn't go hanging my hat on Mount Davis as an example. It's on the raised part of the Allegheny Plateau, where it's not uncommon for the highway to be well over 2,000 feet. IIRC, I think the highest road elevation I remember out that way was around 2,700 feet. It's a nice little hill and state highpoint as well, but that's about all.

http://www.summitpost.org/image/121642/151425/mount-davis.html

Alpinist wrote:There's no comparison between the Eastern mountains and the Western mountains of the US. However, it's also not accurate to think that all Eastern mountains are crap. Size isn't everything, and there are many spectacular mountains and worthy climbs on the east coast. To name a few:

Mt Washington...

Scary!!! That's one of the 10 most dangerous mountains in the world!

James_W wrote:

redneck wrote:3,213 feet? We have a mountain nearly twice as tall as that right here in Orange County, CA.

Ironic, then, how my Pennsylvanian uncle once came here and scoffed at California's mountains. I wonder what he was thinking.

I doubt he had seen what California has to offer. The most impressive eastern mountains are hills.

I find quiet solace in the eastern mountains. I love the feel of the dark, ancient woods. The wildflowers and blooming trees and bushes are amazing. The giant trees, the moss, the critters everywhere. Springtime is so green it almost hurts your eyes and the autumn leaves are a wild riot of color.

I love the eastern mountains. I have never understood this strange need to disparage these peaks. They are not "worse" than western mountains in any way - just different.

sarah.simon wrote:I love the eastern mountains. I have never understood this strange need to disparage these peaks. They are not "worse" than western mountains in any way - just different.

Just SHORTER.

Alpinist wrote: Size isn't everything

That's not what she said.

Alpinist wrote:

Just noticed the perspective of those last two photos. I like comparisons like that.

mrchad9 wrote:

Alpinist wrote:

Just noticed the perspective of those last two photos. I like comparisons like that.

Yep, that is pretty cool.

I liked Mt. Davis. It was in a nice rural area, the pastures and farmlands leading there were all very charming, and the 360 degree views from the top of the tower were pastoral, pretty, and calming to the senses. No mountaineering feat, for sure, but you don't expect to find that in Pennsylvania anyhow.