Given the overhwelming response to the Forum, I'm beginning a FAQ based on Forum responses. If you want to add something, please let me know.

Is there a rule for vertical ascent on climbs to qualify?

No

On Line Resources

What is the online service for obtaining map,  peak and longitute/latitude information for peaks?

The USGS States and Territories Database
 

World Highpoints

Highest Points on the 7 Continents?

Asia Everest 8848 29028 Nepal/Tibet
S America Aconcagua 6956 22835 Argentina
N America McKinley 6194 20320 USA (Alaska)
Africa Kilimanjaro 5895 19340 Tanzania
Europe Elbrus 5636 18481 Russia
Antarctica Vinson 4897 16067 -
Australia Kosciusko 2228 7316 Australia

United States Highpoints

ALASKA - MT. McKINLEY

Alaska Roadhouse Recommendation
Stop in at the Healy Roadhouse (short way north of Denali Park) for a hamburger. It will be an Alaskan experience guaranteed.

 CALIFORNIA - WHITNEY
Whitney Day Hike Permits
They give out camping permits up to six months in advance. Day hiking is a different story. You can usually get a permit for a day hike at the Ranger Station in Lone Pine (it is right off the main drag, so it isn't hard to find). And Whitney has been done in a day before, so if you have strong legs and good knees... Here is their phone number and URL if you want to contact the Forest Service directly: 1-888-374-3773 http://r05s001.pswfs.gov/inyo/vvc/permits.htm

Whitney May Conditions
Snow levels are about normal on the east side of the range. Patchy below 9000 ft. and becoming complete between 9000-9500 ft. The depth seems average, and many ridges and steep rock faces are already clear of snow. There are occasional storms which dump some fresh snow, but this quickly melts when the sun comes out. There are some stronger storms which have been hitting the area,
however. This past weekend, my father was in Walker Basin, south of Lake Isabella, and said the fresh snow was heavy down to 6500 ft. Also, the west slope seems to have taken the brunt of the storms. The coverage on the west is greater than average, but probably not 200%.Check this URL to get a reasonable idea of what the snow cover is at various elevations and regions (Check the Owens River Drainage and Kern River Drainage): http://snow.water.ca.gov/current/snow/index.html

COLORADO - ELBERT
Elbert Black Cloud Approach
Last summer I did the East Ridge route, leaving from above the Lakeview Campground, just to the east of Twin Lakes. A decent route, but it can be confusing to get to the right trailhead, and to find the trail. I left before first light, but I recommend the route the night before. Coming down, it was like a day at the mall with all the traffic coming up - if you like crowds, you will be content here. Black Cloud route is a good choice to avoid the crowds and it gives you plenty of time on the high ridges - but it is a tougher route. this trail is more challenging than other routes and is less traveled. The hike is 11 miles with 5300' of total gain. The North Mt Elbert trail you speak of is a 9 mile hike with 5000' gain. Black Cloud also traverse over South Elbert which is said to have better views.

FLORIDA - BRITTON HILL
Florida Contact
Hey anyone coming down to Florida's high point and need some help let me now. I can give information from anything to a place to camp, motel and the fastest way to get there. I can also provide informations to most of the south state High Points. (AL,GA,NC,AR,LA,MS,TN) If I can be of any Help please let me know. I can be Reach at COYOTTE37 @AOL.COM

CT (where I live) is similar to Nevada in the respect that the highest summit is not the state highpoint. Prior to more accurate surveys, people believed that they had reached the highpoint of CT once they had reached the summit of Bear Mtn. I believe that a sign atop the summit may still indicate that this is the case. The CT highpoint is actually the highest point of the CT/MA state line as it traverses over the south slope of Mt. Frissel whose summit is located in MA. This is a bit higher than the summit of nearby Bear Mtn.

Mt. Washington Stage Service
The Mt. Washington Stage Service (stage as in stagecoach, they've been around a while) is on Rt. 16 across from the Auto Road entrance. They run vans up and back, with tour guide, etc, frequently throughout the day. The race may curtail their schedule, though. Call first; sorry I don't have the number handy (they are in Gorham, NH).

Mt. Washington Shuttle?
The AMC runs a hiker shuttle that will take you from Crawford back to Pinkham. Check the AMC
web site (http://www.outdoors.org) for details and a schecule.

Tuckerman Ravine to Lion Head. Rejoins Tuckerman Ravine Trail above the headwall and continues to the summit. It's about 8.5 miles round trip, and the Lion Head headwall is about the most difficult. A more difficult route is Tuckerman Ravine to Boot Spur. From there, you'd skirt across the top of the headwall and join Tuckerman Ravine Trail to the summit. It's longer and involves more bolder hopping. Finally, if you really want a challenge, you could take Tuckerman Ravine Trail to Huntington Ravine Trail. The scramble up Huntington Ravine is one step below technical and involves plenty of exposure. From the top of the headwall, it's all bolder hopping to the summit. You could come down via Tuckerman Ravine Trail. Be aware, though, that Huntington Ravine is billed as the most difficult trail in the White Mountains. (I don't agree with that, but the reputation is well earned and it's a serious hike.)

If you hike up the Pinkham side, I'd suggest staying in Gorham, not in the valley. The motels are cheaper and there is a nice breakfast place (Welch's) that opens at 5:30 AM.

Also on that side, if you're into a really good Guinness, there's the Tuckerman Tavern on Route 16B. They pour a perfect Guinness that's smooth as silk after a tough hike.

I spend a lot of time up in the Whites, so if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me. BTW, be prepare for a huge crowd on that mountain. Between the hordes hiking up and the folks that drive or take the smog railroad, the summit area is absolutely packed.

NEW MEXICO - WHEELER PEAK

Wheeler - Lost Lake/Bull of the Woods Approaches
Lost Lake/Horseshoe Lake trail is more scenic than the Bull of the Woods trail. Have you ever considered hiking the east fork trail or with more time the sawmill park trail. A nice loop can be made with that trail. You can hike up to Horsehoe Lake and spend the first night and then hike up to wheeler. After that, all the peaks can be scaled: Simpson, Old Mike, Red Dome, Taos cone, etc. A second night could be spent at Sawmill Park and then return to the east fork. This hike could be done in three days and you will see far fewer people than the other trails. One note: the second day hiking should start very early, so that you're not on the ridge in the afternoon (potential T-storms).

Check out the Italian restaurant in the ski resort for a great meal after being on the roof of N.M. Also I remember a bakery a mile or two up Highway 150 - on the left hand side. A great place to stop for some baked goods on the drive up.

Mt. Mitchell Formation?
Mitchell as well as the other Appalachains were formed by the collision of two continental plates.

OKLAHOMA - BLACK MESA
Black Mesa, Oklahoma, New Approach
I climbed the OK high point, 23 May 98. It is no shorter to do the old way then the new. The new when you climb the mesa is not as steep as the old way will be. Its right at 4 miles each way. I am not a fast hiker (45) but I went up in 1 Hour 45 min, and down in 1 hour 10 min. It was hot even in May. It is worth the trip i took the new route the day after memorial day 98. frankly, with all the wandering you'd need to do to get permission, i don't think you'd save all that much time. i was on a ten-day, ten-state swing( a bit hurried also) and i knocked off the new route in no time. one note of caution about the new route tho. i was thinking that all the rattlers were up on the rocks on the side of the mesa.....WRONG! i almost got popped by one about one mile from the parking spot. also discovered a new bed and breakfast in the shadow of black mesa. went in and chatted...great folks and closeby. wish i had known earlier as i stayed in boise city in a....well....never mind. anyway, here's everything i have on the black mesa b&b: vicki roberts(she's a gas!)  1-580-261-7443 (the area code just changed) 1-800-866-3009 e-mail BMBB1@JUNO.COM

RHODE ISLAND - JERIMOTH HILL
Alternative Approaches to Jerimoth Hill
An alternate approach from the south would avoid using the dirt road through Richardson's property, it still doesn't solve the problem that Brown University will not allow access to the state highpoint property that they own. As of now, they have failed to grant public access to their property so that the state highpoint can be visited. This problem is complicated by the fact that first public access to Brown University's land locked property must be obtained and then Brown University must allow public access to the highpoint. Both things must occur for the public to enjoy the RI highpoint.

Incidentally, there is a debate about a landfill in Johnston, RI, that is higher. The Highpoints Club only recognizes natural landmarks and not manmade.

WASHINGTON - MT. RAINIER

How do you contact RMI for guide service?
You can call RMI at 360-569-2227, or check out their home page at: http://www.mtrainierguides.com/index.html I had a bad experience with RMI personally, but unless you are a compentent alpine climber you sure don't want to try Rainier on your own either. Just get ready to be led on a death march. If you have no experience try some lesser peaks like Hood first.

For a fast ascent, I'd recommend the Fuhrer Finger as the quickest way from car to summit.

Washington, DC, Folklore
Ft Reno park in the Friendship Heights neighborgood of Washington DC, and has vistas of the Potomac River Valley, particularly at sunset. This is a neighborhood attraction year round, but especially on the 4th to see the tops of fireworks on the Mall. By way of DC folklore, it is still believed in some circles that military communications and control bunkers were installed in the man-made hill back in WWII.