Bill Deitzer stands at the summit of Kings Peak. (Steve Deitzer photos) | ZOOM |

        Twice he attempted a trek to the summit of Utah's Kings Peak. Twice sleet and thunderstorms forced him to turn back before reaching his goal.

        And so William F. “Bill” Deitzer was well aware of the challenges awaiting him in July, on his third attempt. The 59-year-old West Chester man, a married father of two, was accompanied by his son Steve and son-in-law Jim Kloenne.

        At 13,528 feet, Kings Peak is Utah's highest point, and a worthy goal for Mr. Deitzer. He belongs to the Highpointers Club, a group whose 2,250 members attempt to reach the highest spot in every state.

        A year ago, Mr. Deitzer wrote about his experiences in a Tempo “In My Life” column. He told of dodging rattlesnakes in Southwestern states, surviving a death threat from an eccentric Rhode Island homeowner, and making two unsuccessful assaults on Kings Peak, which would have been his 45th “highpoint.”

Bill Deitzer stands on a pile of boulders that cover the top of Kings Peak. | ZOOM |

        “We wouldn't let Dad leave this mountain a third time without (reaching) the peak,” son Steve says. But the mountain, he notes, wasn't so accommodating.

        Starting from an elevation of about 9,000 feet, they covered about seven miles on July 26, then set up camp in rain and sleet. The next morning brought clear skies, and they began the eight-mile hike toward the summit.

        The steep, rocky terrain took its toll. Two miles from the top, Bill “hit the wall” and needed a long break. “I just ran out gas,” he says. He forced down an energy bar, and continued.

        The final mile was even more difficult: “A complete jumble of boulders, ranging from car-sized to briefcase-sized, all in a vast, steep, tortuous pile,” Steve says.

        What's more, storm clouds were approaching. Lightning would present a clear danger, forcing them to abandon the quest. Only 100 yards from the crest a storm appeared imminent.

        Then the wind direction changed. The storm diverted, the mountain was conquered.

        “I let out with with my favorite expression when I'm really happy, which is "Yes!' ” Bill says. He was especially pleased that this the first “highpoint” he had attempted with his son and son-in-law.

        It might be Bill's last “highpoint” attempt. Or might not. The degree of difficulty increases considerably for the five points he has yet to attain: Alaska's Mount McKinley (20,320 feet); Washington's Mount Ranier (14,411 feet); Wyoming's Gannett Peak (13,804); Montana's Granite Peak (12,799 feet) and Idaho's Borah Peak (12,662 feet).

        Regardless, he doesn't plan to sit still.

        “Clearly, I've learned you've got to have goals,” says the retired chief financial officer for Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. “I needed something to motivate me.”

        He's found it.

High points by state

        Alabama: Cheaha Mountain, 2,407 feet above sea level.
        Alaska: Mount McKinley, 20,320.
        Arizona: Humphreys Peak, 12,633 feet.
        Arkansas: Signal Hill, Mount Magazine, 2,753 feet.
        California: Mount Whitney, 14,494 feet.
        Colorado: Mount Elbert, 14,433 feet.
        Connecticut: Mount Frissell, 2,380 feet.
        Delaware: Ebright Azimuth, 442 feet.
        Florida: Lakewood (Britton Hill), 345 feet. (Lowest high point in U.S.)         Georgia: Brasstown Bald, 4,784 feet.
        Hawaii: Mauna Kea, 13,796.
        Idaho: Borah Peak, 12,662 feet.
        Illinois: Charles Mound, 1,235 feet.
        Indiana: Hoosier Hill, 1,257 feet. (On a farm near Richmond.)
        Iowa: Hawkeye Point, 1,670 feet.
        Kansas: Mount Sunflower, 4,039 feet.
        Kentucky: Black Mountain, 4,145 feet. (Near Hazard.)
        Louisiana: Driskill Mountain, 535 feet.
        Maine: Baxter Peak, Katahdin, 5,268 feet.
        Maryland: Hoye-Crest, Backbone Mountain, 3,360 feet.
        Massachusetts: Mount Greylock, 3,491 feet.
        Michigan: Mount Arvon, 1,979 feet.
        Minnesota: Eagle Mountain, 2,301 feet.
        Mississippi: Woodall Mountain, 806 feet.
        Missouri: Taum Sauk, 1,772 feet.
        Montana: Granite Peak, 12,799 feet.
        Nebraska: Panorama Point, 5,424 feet.
        Nevada: Boundary Peak, 13,143 feet.
        New Hampshire: Mount Washington, 6,288 feet.
        New Jersey: High Point, 1,803 feet.
        New Mexico: Wheeler Peak, 13,161 feet.
        New York: Mount Marcy, 5,344 feet.
        North Carolina: Mount Mitchell, 6,684 feet.
        North Dakota: White Butte, 3,506 feet.
        Ohio: Campbell Hill, 1,550 feet. (1 1/2 miles east of Bellefontaine)
        Oklahoma: Black Mesa, 4,973 feet.
        Oregon: Mount Hood, 11,239 feet.
        Pennsylvania: Mount Davis, 3,213 feet.
        Rhode Island: Jerimoth Hill, 812 feet.
        South Carolina: Sassafras Mountain, 3,560 feet.
        South Dakota: Harney Peak, 7,242 feet.
        Tennessee: Clingmans Dome, 6,643 feet.
        Texas: Guadalupe Peak, 8,749 feet.
        Utah: Kings Peak, 13,528 feet.
        Vermont: Mount Mansfield, 4,393 feet.
        Virginia: Mount Rogers, 5,729 feet.
        West Virginia: Spruce Knob, 4,863 feet.
        Washington: Mount Rainier, 14,411 feet.
        Wisconsin: Timms Hill, 1,951 feet.
        Wyoming: Gannett Peak, 13,804 feet.
        Source: www.highpointers.org.

Reality check
Bombings lead TV networks to change schedules
Tragedy trumped movies' 'lessons'
College junior still tickled by Elmo
DAUGHERTY: Everyday
Photo exhibit gives career new focus
Third climb a charm
Are you just wild about all things Harry?
DEMALINE: Arts can help put events in perspective
Jarvi: Music a great healer
Starling group's talent can't be measured in age
American hop crop well-used by brewers
Lights, action, barbecue
Restaurants where every day's Oktoberfest
Get to it