Definitions of type of climb
Drive Up --- Any highpoint access that just requires an insignificant walk from the parking lot or parking space to the highpoint itself, without any significant elevation gain is considered a Drive Up. The following highpoints are Drive Ups: Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Walk --- We have created a category called Walk. A Walk is something more than a Drive Up. A Walk is any climb less than 30 minute round trip, with little, if any elevation gain. The following highpoints are Walks: Arkansas, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Hike --- A Hike is defined as a climb which may require some elevation gain (one or two hundred feet,) and in most cases, the hike can be completed within a one hour round trip. Hikes do not require any special equipment, except for comfortable shoes and possibly some liquids depending on the weather conditions. The following highpoints are Hikes: Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Puerto Rico
Moderate Hike --- A Moderate Hike is classified as a climb which will take more than an hour round trip and involves an elevation gain of up to 1000 feet or so. Moderate Hikes will require adequate hydration and may require other hiking paraphernalia. There is no technical equipment required for this type of hike and altitude is no a factor. The following highpoints are Moderate Hikes: Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Vermont, and Virginia.
Strenuous Hike --- This is where we begin to separate the men from the boys or the women from the girls. A Strenuous Hike usually lasts more than four hours round trip, involves elevation gain or more than 1000 feet, and requires appropriate hiking preparation. A Strenuous Hike may also involve altitude problems. No special equipment is required for this hike. The following are strenuous hikes: Arizona, California, Colorado, Maine, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Texas, and Utah.
Technical --- A Technical climb requires special equipment, i.e. ropes, crampons, ice axe, helmet, etc. A Technical climb should not be attempted unless you have previous mountain climbing experience. If you do not, a climbing class is strongly recommended. Technical climbs involve significant elevation gains, often multi-day trips, and could result in serious injury or death if they are attempted by the inexperienced or unprepared. The following are Technical climbs: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.
Highly Technical --- Denali is in a class by itself. Unless you are an experienced mountain climber, you will not make this climb without the assistance and training of an authorized guide service. Denali takes from 14 to 28 days round trip climbing time. Temperatures routinely drop to minus 40°F and winds can top 80 mph. There is only one highly technical climb. That is Denali.