Climbing Across America: A Family Guide to Highpointing the 50 States

The Birrer family has climbed to the highest point in each of the 50 states. Now twin brothers Chris and Rich, along with sister Danielle, describe their travels with Mom and Dad in a fun and informative guide aimed at those in search of a uniquely American adventure. Written with the active family in mind, Climbing Across America offers advice on everything from when and where to go, to what to wear, eat and look for along the way. Provides maps, directions and a solid introduction to the wonders of Highpointing. Foreword by Jack Longacre, president of the Highpointers Club of America.

The Birrer trio--twin brothers, Rich and Chris, and sister, Danielle--began their hiking and climbing activities at the ages of three and four while exploring their backyard sand pile and the park system of their native Long Island. Through scouting programs they mastered orienteering, camping, climbing, and wilderness survival, eventually achieving the levels of Eagle Scout (Rich and Chris) and Gold Award (Danielle). During the summers of 1988 through 2000 they planned family outings to the highpoints in each of the fifty states that exposed them to America's rich geography, history, and diversity.

Each is a first-degree black belt in "Kyokushinkai" karate and has received the bronze, silver, and gold Congressional Medals for community volunteer activity. They are accomplished musicians, competitive athletes in the sports of diving and crew, and proficient in Spanish. Rich and Chris graduated from Yale University in 2002; Danielle will enter her junior year at Columbia/Barnard. Most recently, they successfully climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.