Top 10 US Mountains

[Zambo]

Most beautiful in the world:[/u ]

Solid list and awesome pics. Thanks for sharing. I've seen half dome, The Matter Horn, and Mt. Cook in person.

In my (albeit limited) experience, I think Mt. Cook is one of the most underrated and spectacular peaks out there. It might not be relatively all that high (12,316), but it also starts at essentially 1,000ft. Viewing that peak as it rises out of Lake Pukaki is the most beautiful mountain scene I've ever laid eyes on.

Again, thanks for sharing.

[P Why]

From west to east, based on beauty, historical importance, challenge, fame, appearance on postcards, etc...

1 Rainier
2 Hood
3 Shasta
4 Half Dome
5 Whitney
6 Grand Teton
7 Maroon Bells
8 Longs
9 Washington
10 Katahdin

[Hacksaw]

Denali
Rainier
Grand Teton
Whitney
Hood
Shasta
Longs (for it's reknown and mixture of technical and non-technical routes)
Mt Huntington [urlhttp://www.aai.cc/images/coleys_alaska/2004/hu ... n_crop.jpg][/url]
Gannet
Elbert (for dutifully attracting hordes of hikers away from more aesthetic and interesting mountains in Colorado)

Good list, except I'd drop Elbert for Mount Thor on Baffin Island.

[nyker]

Excluding Denali as the OP requested, I think this would be a good list as among the most "iconic" continental US mountains:

Top ten lower 48:

1 Rainier
2 Whitney
3 Pikes
4 Half Dome
5 Longs
6 Grand Teton
7 Katahdin
8 Mt Hood
9 Mt Washington
10 Mt Shasta

Top 15, I'd add (including Hawaii):

11 Mauna Kea (HI - having just climbed it, it definitely is a unique climb on a sacred, isolated mountain and highpoint)
12 El Capitan
13 Maroon Bells (ok, not ONE mountain, but how can you choose just one of them?!)
14 Haleakala (HI)
15 Mt Saint Helens

Rationale: These are the "name brand" peaks, for their own individual good reasons. Other peaks may be equally or more magnificent from
a mountainerring perspective, but my filter was "Iconic American Peaks", where climbing any of them would help contribute to an outdoor American experience.

[ascent+descent=fun]

There are more than 10 without question, but a few that come to mind that I have climbed and are very esthetic are:

Rainier
Capitol
Vestal
The Titan
Castleton Tower
El Capitan
The Bells
Longs (Diamond)
Hood
Grand Teton
Pigeon
Jagged
Jefferson
Dallas
Ancient Art
The Kingfisher
Angels Landing
Moonlight Buttress


I have yet to hike/climb in the highcountry of California, but I can't wait to start exploring next year.

Woud you really consider moonlight a mountain? or ancient art for that matter.

[Brian C]

Even with the recent SP calamity on the route, I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned Ship Rock. It's pretty remarkable to view and has a great history.

[Randy]

1.) Haystack, NY
2.) Colden, NY
3.) Gothics, NY
4.) Camel's Hump, VT
5.) Giant, NY
6.) Mansfield, VT
7.) Adams, NH
8.) Madison, NH
9.) Rocky Peak Ridge, NY
10.) Algonquin, NY

This poll is right there with the 10 Hottest Women, People Magazine's Sexiest Man, Top 10 College Football Teams.

Once I went to vermont and climbed camels hump, took about 3 hrs round trip, nothing special never been back to vermont, if you like trees and easy hikes it might be for you.

[jrbren_vt]

Once I went to vermont and climbed camels hump, took about 3 hrs round trip, nothing special never been back to vermont, if you like trees and easy hikes it might be for you.

I respect your opinion, regardless of how wrong it is.

[Dave B]

BTW, for those of you saying Mt. Washington, do you mean the one from the bumper stickers that say "This Car climbed Mt. Washington", or the one in Oregon ?
Maybe the bumper sticker is talking about the Oregon peak ?

Now there's a rotten volcanic scree pile I'll never forget

[rking007]

Dave,

Just followed your link to the pics on your facebook page. You have some really awesome shots in there! Also, I am jealous of your adventures!

[jrbren_vt]

Ditto on Dave's facebook photos. Really nice ! I especially like the Mt Hood lenticular cloud photo and the Utah red rock photo.

[14erdude83]

1.) Haystack, NY
2.) Colden, NY
3.) Gothics, NY
4.) Camel's Hump, VT
5.) Giant, NY
6.) Mansfield, VT
7.) Adams, NH
8.) Madison, NH
9.) Rocky Peak Ridge, NY
10.) Algonquin, NY

This poll is right there with the 10 Hottest Women, People Magazine's Sexiest Man, Top 10 College Football Teams.

yes all the top mountains in the U.S are in NY, VT, NH...come on seriously?