Surveys

It is very important to us to be as rigorous as possible and climb the correct highpoints on any peakbagging list. However, there is often uncertainty in peak elevations and which peak is in fact the tallest in a country. Sometimes previous ground surveys give conflicting information, or didn’t measure all peaks in the country. Satellite measurements exist for most of the earth, but can still have high enough errors to not allow determination of true country highpoints. In these cases, more accurate surveys are needed to determine true country highpoints.

Eric has access to professional surveying equipment through Seattle University, where he is an associate teaching professor. He teaches mechanical engineering and civil engineering classes, including classes specific to mountain surveying. His research focuses on measuring mountain elevations, and he has received multiple research grants from the American Alpine Club for this work. He has six academic journal papers currently under review or already accepted about his work. His project to survey the 100 highest peaks in Washington was recognized by the Land Surveyors Association of Washington (LSAW) in the Evergreen State Surveyor publication. He has collaborated with members of LSAW on work measuring updated elevations of Mt Rainier.

Together, we have used professional survey equipment and methods to survey over 60 peaks around the world to find elevations with sub meter vertical accuracy. This equipment includes multiple differential GNSS units (capable of 2cm vertical accuracy), a theodolite, and Abney levels.

We have so far discovered six new country highpoints, updated the list of 100 highest peaks in Washington, discovered one new US state highpoint, discovered a new 14er in Colorado, and measured the elevation loss of the five icecap peaks of the contiguous US. See the Publications tab for the most updated list of our published work in this field.

Below we list the peaks we have surveyed with professional equipment. Links to reports with elevations are given. All measurements have been documented in peer-reviewed scientific journal articles either already accepted or in review.

Country Highpoints
1. Jabal Ferwa and Jabal Sawda, Saudi Arabia
2. Mt Agou and Mt Atilakoutse, Togo
3. Dongola Ronde and Venu Leidu Hill, Guinea Bissau
4. Sare Firasu Hill and other highpoint contenders, Gambia
5. Alpomish and Peak 4643 (2023) and Alpomish (2025), Uzbekistan
6. Pico Bolivar and Pico Colon, Colombia
7. Felo Barkere, Senegal
8. Kediet et Jill, Mauritania
9. Sokbaro, Benin
10. Djeravica and Velika Rudoka (2018) and Velika Rudoka (2025), Serbia/Kosovo
11. Kuwait highpoint, Kuwait
12. Zla Kolata and Dobre Kolata, Montenegro
13. Morro do Moco, Angola
14. Konigstein, Namibia
15. Otse Hill and Monalanong Hill, Botswana
16. Julianatop, Suriname