THAT PEAK: As promised, more feedback today on our column which
said Penfield was the highest peak this side of the Mississippi –
but should have added “on Interstate 80.”
Larry R. Fay writes: “I thoroughly enjoy reading the RTS column
online, but Friday’s (Aug. 25) column had a couple of inaccurate
statements. Mount Jewett has some beautiful viewing areas, but at
2,440 feet Prospect (near Smethport) is the highest hill in McKean
County.”
“Also, the highest spot east of the Mississippi River isn’t
anywhere near Interstate 80. It’s Mount Mitchell in western North
Carolina at 6,684 feet. Mount Davis in Somerset County, Pa., at
3,213 feet is less than half the elevation of Mount Mitchell.
“While researching this on the internet, I was surprised to note
that Fork Hill in Tioga County is 3,002 feet high.”
Larry goes on, “Bradford area weather is a ‘banana belt’
compared to Mount Washington in New Hampshire. At 231 mph (12 April
1934) it holds the world record wind speed. The average windspeed
is 35.3 mph with hurricane force winds every third day on
average.”
“Over 100 people have died on the mountain, many from
hypothermia. (Some) 566 inches of snow once fell on the mountain,
although the average is 256 inches. Temperatures average 26.5 F but
have been recorded from minus 47 F to minus 72F.”
(We’ll try to remember all this in February and be grateful
we’re in Bradford.)
We also heard from others, some who obviously have personal
knowledge of some of these “higher” places and some who know how to
do Internet research.
Chris Mackowski was in that group but also provided the final
touches on this friendly competition about the highest peak. To
recap: Mount Mitchell in North Carolina’s Black Mountains, 6,684
feet; Clingman’s Dome in Tennessee is second at 6,643 feet; and
Mount Washington in N.H. is third at 6,288 feet.
Poor old Penfield is only 2,250 feet above sea level.
Chris tells us there are a couple pictures of the sign on I-80
that people can Google on the internet if they’d like to see it for
themselves. (If you find yourself doing this, you probably have too
much time on your hands.)
Thanks to all our readers who provided details on this story
including Jim Pringle, Kari McKeirnan of Hickory, N.C., C.J.
Ditsious; and Charles Smith of Port Allegany.
