This booklet is a sample of a full-length book. It is Chapter 10 in Ameritrekking and Highpointing: Discovering America the Beautiful. If you already have that book, don't buy this booklet.

This short story tells the tale of the author's hike to the top of Harney Peak in the Black Hills of South Dakota in the year 1995. Harney Peak is the South Dakota highpoint, or highest naturally occurring geographic point in the state. The elevation is 7,242 feet above sea level. Starting from Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park, the climb was a half-day walking adventure on a beautiful summer's day.

Harney Peak was renamed Black Elk Peak. When the author climbed it, it was known by the former name. Because that name was part of his experience, it is referred to as Harney Peak throughout.

The hike took place on the outbound leg of an 8,000-mile vacation that carried the author through 23 states. The long cross-country drive he called an Ameritrek and after the first trip he started exploring the United States year after year in other Ameritreks, eventually driving over 125,000 miles—the equivalent of five times around the Earth. Along the way he went to the highpoints of 45 states. South Dakota was the first one. In addition to highpoints, he visited many other strange and wonderful places. He continues to travel and write. Buy this sample booklet and join the adventure today!