Highpointers Foundation

Exciting news: Mary Montigny has been recently appointed as a Director on the Highpointers Foundation board! 🎉 She’s excited to help preserve these special places and build even more connections across the country.

Her highpointing adventure began in 1998 when a family friend and mentor, Stony Burk, introduced her family to Mount Washington, which is New Hampshire’s highpoint. After climbing a few more in New England with her mom, she was hooked and dreamed of completing all 50 states someday. That dream came true in 2023 when she became the 38th woman to summit them all!

As a Director, Mary serves as a project coordinator and roving liaison. She and her husband love RV travel, visiting highpoints, and chatting with locals and organizations to spot preservation opportunities. To her, highpointing isn’t just a challenge but it’s also a way to explore more states, experience our country’s incredible diversity, and gain a deeper understanding of what makes America so unique.

Her top tip for beginners: Plan a road trip to knock out a few highpoints with a family member or friend. The memories you’ll make together are priceless.

Fun fact: Mary loves revisiting highpoints! Her first round was so her husband could experience them (he’s now at 41). Then they leash-trained their cats, Cecil and Rusty, who have summited 20 highpoints so far! She even detoured to revisit six while thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. That’s dedication.

Congrats Mary we’re glad to have you!

The Highpointers Foundation has been very busy at Jerimoth Hill in Rhode Island: cleaning up the Highpoint, installing a cable gate at the entrance, clearing and mulching an access lane and pathway, and adding a new bench near the “summit.”

In preparation last year, trees and limbs were cleared to create an access lane and three old sheds were removed.

There is still more work to be done there including addressing some signage issues along the access highway as well as creating a parking area and laying down gravel.

Thanks to the Highpointers Foundation President Dave Covill along with Highpointers Mike Baer, Roy Wallen, Mary Montigny, Olivier Kozlowski and others for coordinating with the state, putting in the hard work on site, and making this all happen! Jerimoth Hill has a whole new look now!