Clingmans Dome is now Kuwohi

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I suggest consulting Sweetser's guide to the White Mountains, in particular, its chapter on 'Nomenclature'. After reviewing the names of the peaks in the White Mountains, his final paragraph is:

'Out of this blind maze of homely and hackneyed names must arise the significant nomenclature of the future. Why should our mountains not bear such noble names as those of Switzerland, the Alleleinhorn, the Jungfrau, the Mischabel, the Wetterhorn, Monte Rosa -- names which resound like the roll of the avalanche? ... It must necessarily be a slow process, but it has already commenced well, and by the second centennial the entire nomenclature of our New-England highlands may be reformed. The Alps of Western America are being badly treated in this regard, and surveyors and geologists are allowing their names to be attached to peaks that rival Mont Blanc. Arizona emulates Maine in its Bill Williams Mt., and the depths have been reached in Mt. Jeff. Davis.'

(I quote from the 1887 edition, but I think the same passage appears in the first, 1876, edition. I picked the copy closest to hand.)

And Arizona still hasn't really changed the name of the peak, but now they call it just 'Mount Davis'. (And, by the way, and as you may know, there's a little bump on Monadnock named Monte Rosa.)
 
I'm pretty confident that at this point, Peakpagger would have written a nice post stating that we should all get back to talking about hiking, or he would lock the thread.

Why don't we do that anyway?

TomK
I was just about to type something to that effect!
 
I never went south of PA, took a right there and headed west. Nothing about the South sounded interesting to me. This year, I didn't feel like driving to CO, so me and my dog went South to VA. All my previous ideas of the South came to fruition and I couldn't leave the area fast enough. The towns/cities, the trails, the mountains, I found little redeeming qualities for the area. Next year, heading West again and I cannot wait. Much of the South clings to it's history and that's a,shame because it's dark and nothing to be proud of. The country is still divided by race and probably always will be.
 
But anyway, I like the south as much as any other region of the country. One of the things that state highpointing teaches you is an appreciation for all of the different micro-cultures within the United States. When in the “south” (and there is a big difference between Tennessee, Florida and Texas), I don’t lament all of the things non New England about it. I just take it for what it is and absorb myself in it (while also retaining my own core values, whatever they might be).

Saw this TikTok this morning. Thought it was interesting and, of course, it made me think of this thread.

What if the Confederacy Returned
 
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I never went south of PA, took a right there and headed west. Nothing about the South sounded interesting to me. This year, I didn't feel like driving to CO, so me and my dog went South to VA. All my previous ideas of the South came to fruition and I couldn't leave the area fast enough. The towns/cities, the trails, the mountains, I found little redeeming qualities for the area. Next year, heading West again and I cannot wait. Much of the South clings to it's history and that's a,shame because it's dark and nothing to be proud of. The country is still divided by race and probably always will be.
I suppose we see what we want to see. Last November I had to go to Mississippi by way of Memphis for a soccer game, and found everyone to be the most incredibly friendly people we've ever come across. We came away saying "Southern Hospitality is a real thing". I can't recall a single instance of any hatred, any anger, and that includes people from all sides of the color spectrum. We had a dozen groups of parents come up to our small tailgating area thanking us for making the trip, wishing us an enjoyable stay, etc. I even joked with some to knock it off, we're from the NorthEast and are generally a miserable lot so I'm a bit off-guard. Every staff member in hotels and restaurants were giving us "yes ma'am" and "yessirs" and pleases and thank you's.
 
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I suppose we see what we want to see. Last November I had to go to Mississippi by way of Memphis for a soccer game, and found everyone to be the most incredibly friendly people we've ever come across. We came away saying "Southern Hospitality is a real thing". I can't recall a single instance of any hatred, any anger, and that includes people from all sides of the color spectrum. We had a dozen groups of parents come up to our small tailgating area thanking us for making the trip, wishing us an enjoyable stay, etc. I even joked with some to knock it off, we're from the NorthEast and are generally a miserable lot so I'm a bit off-guard. Every staff member in hotels and restaurants were giving us "yes ma'am" and "yessirs" and pleases and thank you's.
I guess my post was not as defined as it could have been. While my comments on the Souths history stand, that's not what I didn't care for. I just found the mountains less than interesting, I mean the Whites are a lot more dramatic and most of my vacations are out west and there is no comparison there. The towns and cities were just not that appealing, but I'm used to towns like Breckenridge, Buena Vista, really a high bar for any other region. The southern people in general, I had zero issues with and as you stated they are nice enough. My post was meant to be viewed from a mountain climbers viewpoint, my delivery just fell short.
 
I guess my post was not as defined as it could have been. While my comments on the Souths history stand, that's not what I didn't care for. I just found the mountains less than interesting, I mean the Whites are a lot more dramatic and most of my vacations are out west and there is no comparison there. The towns and cities were just not that appealing, but I'm used to towns like Breckenridge, Buena Vista, really a high bar for any other region. The southern people in general, I had zero issues with and as you stated they are nice enough. My post was meant to be viewed from a mountain climbers viewpoint, my delivery just fell short.
North Carolina is worth the effort. I tend to agree with your assessment of the South for the little I have seen of it. The Ridge encompassing Mount Mitchell North to Celo Knob ( I think the Black Mountains or Black Crest Mountains) is a really nice hike that will have you thinking NH only different. Really nice ridge walk with lots of 6k peaks, views to actual mountains and a lot of NH like terrain mixed in with balds and rhodedendrons. Grayson Highlands and Dolly Sods Wilderness are other really fine areas if the drive out West is too daunting but you want to check out a new spot.
 

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