More than 230 registered highpointers from across America and as far away as the Netherlands made their way to Rapid City, South Dakota from July 18th to 20th for the 2024 Annual Konvention and Membership Meetings.
This year’s Konvention, held at the sprawling Best Western Ramkota and hosted by yours truly, featured a wide array of events, both planned and unplanned, that appealed to the diverse interests of our attendees, who ranged in age from 1 to 92.
For early arrivers, things got rolling on the morning of Thursday, July 18th with an event at Bear Butte State Park near Sturgis featuring not only a hike to the top of one of South Dakota’s most prominent peaks, but also a memorable presentation by Native American historian and professor Donovin Sprague.
About 35 highpointers attended as Mr. Sprague provided a highly detailed history of Indian tribes in the region and shared an impressive display of authentic woodcraft. The group then embarked on a 3.5 mile round trip hike to the top of the 4,431 foot summit of Bear Butte.
Next up was a specially arranged trip out to the arm of Crazy Horse Memorial later that same afternoon (July 18th) with more than 50 participants being treated to an up close and personal experience on this massive mountain carving.
Things got exciting early with lightning in the area delaying the group’s departure by 30 minutes before our hosts received the all-clear and wasted no time getting us out to the arm of Crazy Horse. We spent nearly an hour exploring and received a great tour and update on construction efforts before heading back to the Visitor Center for a short film on the history of the sculpture.
The traditional Thursday Liar’s Club Social was held back at the host hotel that evening as more folks began to roll into town. The low key affair held outside in the gazebo area brought together more than 100 highpointers for drinks, stories, snacks and socialization.
The main event of the entire Konvention, of course, was the planned Friday morning hike of Black Elk Peak by upwards of 200 state highpointers in small individual groups (to stay in compliance with National Forest Service regulations). Everyone on hand had many opportunities to interact with other state highpointers as we hiked upwards mostly on the #9 and #4 trails leading from Sylvan Lake.
The day’s festivities did not escape the attention of the local news with KOTA TV running an extended two-minute feature story. The upbeat piece included interviews of Club President Shannon Brumund, Club Treasurer Scott Brumund and Apex to Zenith editors Tom Shea and Tommy Burns as well as great footage of other club members out on the trail. Outstanding publicity!
Story here: https://www.kotatv.com/2024/07/20/hundreds-gather-black-hills-climb-south-dakotas-highest-mountain/
Following an update on the activities of the Highpointers Foundation by HPF President Dave Covill at the annual in-person board meeting Friday afternoon, the day’s action shifted to the spacious Rushmore Room for the Friday Evening Social. A visit to the event by Mount Rushmore icons Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln (reportedly the Konvention host and his 15-year-old daughter) drew laughs from those on hand with lots of fun photo ops following.
State Highpointers after hours events became a bit murkier from here with an alleged karaoke-themed takeover of Cheers Sports Bar and Casino. Details are still rolling in as the investigation continues.
Saturday’s Grand Finale started with a hearty breakfast in the Rushmore Room, setting the stage for a day of conspicuous caloric consumption. Following the Highpointers Club Board of Directors morning meeting, the buses and cars rolled to the Gordon Stockade Historical Site at Custer State Park for the Wendy and Gordie Comstock Memorial Feast.
Near perfect weather conditions made the day enjoyable for all. Thanks to outstanding support led by Mark Comstock, Mary Groeneveld and Robyn Watson’s fabulous Konvention Krew, the feast went off flawlessly. Forty two pizzas ordered from the Custer Pizza Hut turned out to be the perfect number with only two slices left at the end of it all.
And this all led to the Saturday banquet, featuring good food, good spirits and good company. Emcee Bill Urbanski’s comedic timing was spot on as usual while keynote speaker Paul Horsted delivered a riveting presentation on Custer’s 1874 Black Hills Expedition as well as the 2016 private survey of Black Elk Peak that established an accurate modern day elevation of 7,231 feet.
Following Mr. Horsted’s speech and an update from Dave Covill, Tim Webb and Dennis Dean on the 2025 California Konvention, the focus shifted to the important business of selecting the host state for the 2026 Konvention. Despite a spirited presentation advocating for a Connecticut Konvention, Alex de la Torre’s West Virginia campaign won the day in a landslide as the “Mountain State” picked up more than 170 votes.
South Dakota Host Mark Styczynski was last seen eastbound on I-90 bound for parts unknown.
Mark’s Mountain Travels 