Four-thousand footers (sometimes abbreviated "4ks") is a term referring to a group of forty-eight mountains in New Hampshire at least 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) above sea level. To qualify for inclusion a peak must also meet the more technical criterion of topographic prominence important in the mountaineering sport of "peak-bagging".
Contents
Most often, the term refers to the White Mountains Four Thousand Footers List established (and revised from time to time) by the Appalachian Mountain Club. The AMC calls it the White Mountains List, but others call it the New Hampshire List because it does not include Old Speck Mountain (4,170 ft), located in Maine (and outside the White Mountain National Forest) but within the White Mountains.
The AMC also maintains a list of New England 4000 Footers, all falling within Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Other lists of 4000-footers not maintained by the AMC include the original set of 4,000-foot mountains for peak-bagging: the 46 High Peaks in the Adirondacks.
The AMC has revised its 4000-footer lists as surveying became more accurate or the selection criteria were adjusted, with the White Mountains list growing from 46 peaks in the 1950s to 48 in 1982. The proper inclusion or exclusion of several peaks is still a matter of some dispute.
The 48 lie in the White Mountain National Forest and within two of the northernmost counties of New Hampshire, Coos and Grafton. All peaks except those of Mount Washington, Mount Moosilauke and Cannon Mountain are on land owned by the Forest Service, and even these three are almost completely surrounded by it.
Prominence
A "topographic prominence" criterion is applied to exclude high points which are considered subsidiary peaks of a larger mountain. The definition of topographic prominence is the vertical separation between a peak and the low point of the highest ridge connecting it to a higher one. In practical terms, prominence is the minimum distance a hiker must descend before ascending a higher peak.
The AMC's 4000-Footer lists require a minimum prominence of 200 feet (61 m) for inclusion. Earlier versions required either 300 feet (91 m) of prominence or a quarter-mile of separation.
Four Thousand Footer club
A committee of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) sets the criteria and collects information verifying that peaks meet them. It also maintains a list of the Four Thousand Footer Club's self-declared "members", who request recognition for having ascended on foot all of the 48. The first of these was compiled in 1958.
There are numerous variations in completing the Four Thousand Footer list. For example, the AMC maintains a roster of those making ascents between the winter solstice and spring equinox.
Others not officially recorded include reaching each summit:
The New Hampshire list
New Hampshire Four Thousand Footers are listed below in descending order of their elevations. Note that some of these names do not appear on maps, and some alternative names are indicated below.
AT* = Appalachian Trail passes over summit; AT** = AT passes near summit
The New England list
This list consists of the New Hampshire list, plus the following:
4000-Footers in Maine:
4000-Footers in Vermont: