Tag Archives: South Dakota

Preservationist Buy Valentine McGillycuddy – first white climber of Harney Peak

Preservationists in Rapid City have bought the house of Valentine McGillycuddy who was the first white person to climb Harney Peak.

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First Ascents: Valentine McGillycuddy on Harney Peak

In nosing around the new book on life around Harney Peak we notice a photo of the tomb of Valentine McGillycuddy on Harney Peak (actually it’s just his ashes). In 1875 he was part of a team surveying the Dakotas. … Continue reading

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Book About History of Mount Rushmore/Harney Peak Area

Journeyofvisions.com is offering books and photographs about the history of Harney Peak and Mount Rushmore. For the record the above photo is the original Sylvan Lake Hotel that burned in 1934.

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Humor: Backside of Mount Rushmore

lifeitsownself.com has this view of the backside of Mount Rushmore. No wonder you can’t hike up there. If you look at the ad on the sign you will see whythe original poster created Presidents with buff dairy airs.

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Pine Beetles Devastating Harney Peak

The Rapid City Journal reports that pine mountain pine beetles are devastating Harney Peak. They are attempt to fight the beetles by thinning trees in the area.

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Tribes Seek Rennaming of Custer to Chief Crazy Horse State Park

Indian tribes are seeking to rename Custer State Park to Chief Crazy Horse State Park.

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Workers Proclaim Harney Granite in Good Shape As Rushmore Completes Cleaning in 2 Weeks

Keoland reports the first ever clean of the Mount Rushmore faces was completed earlier than expected — despite some shorter days caused by the record 107-108 heat.

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Peter Thompson’s Geology of Highpoints

Peter Thompson at the University of New Hampshire has an elegant and comprehensive description website about the geology of the highpoints of each state.

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Pneumonia Kills Most of Custer State Park's Bighorns

KELO reports an outbreak of pneumonia has killed 175 of Custer State Park’s 200 Bighorn Sheep. It is believed to have been contracted from domestic sheep (which don’t get sick). The state may transplant more bighorns to replace them and … Continue reading

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Highest Point Between the Europe and Colorado?

One of the great urban legends of highpointing is that Harney Peak is the “highest point between Europe and Colorado.” The question is sometimes refined to “highest point between the Alps and the Rockies” and also refined to the “highest … Continue reading

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