Idaho Couple Summits Every County High Point
The two hikers finished a 10-year journey in September 2026, reaching the highest point in all 44 Idaho counties.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Hiking
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Idaho residents Ben Nickell and Anne Koski successfully climbed the highest point in every one of the state's 44 counties as of September 2026. The 10-year journey marks a rare achievement, as only 15 people have completed this feat.
Why it matters
The couple's successful completion of the county high-point circuit highlights the physical endurance and navigation skills required for backcountry mountaineering. Their journey demonstrates how long-term goals can be managed through persistent, incremental outdoor activity.
This achievement represents a rare milestone in mountaineering records, with only 15 people confirmed to have reached the highest point of all 44 Idaho counties. The final trek to Bare Peak Northwest took 22 hours, exceeding the expected 16-hour duration due to challenging terrain.
The players
Ben Nickell
A Pocatello resident and hiker who completed the challenge of reaching every Idaho county high point.
Anne Koski
A Pocatello resident and hiker who partnered on the 10-year project to summit all 44 Idaho county high points.
The details
To reach these summits, the hikers relied on GPS tracking for navigation across areas where established trails do not exist. They utilized standard backpacking gear to traverse varied terrain, which included difficult obstacles like a single section featuring 100 downed trees. The scope of their mission ranged from the state's highest point at Mount Borah to lower-altitude sites like Pickles Butte.
Timeline
The couple started their hiking journey in 2016.
The final hike was completed in September 2026.
Health Landscape
The pursuit of high-point lists is a growing trend in the outdoor community, often tracked via digital platforms like peakbagger.com. This approach to long-term athletic goals encourages sustained cardiovascular and strength training over decades rather than isolated events.
Long-term hiking goals offer a way to maintain physical fitness, but they require careful preparation, especially when navigating off-trail terrain. It is always wise to consult with a primary care physician before beginning a rigorous, multi-year program of high-altitude mountaineering.
The takeaway
Achieving major physical milestones like this one requires consistent training and careful route planning in remote environments. To begin a similar journey, consider tracking your own progression on established trail networks before attempting to navigate off-trail or unmarked peaks.
Further reading
For more on building the skills for long-term outdoor challenges, visit Hiking.
Source note: This article includes information reported by LocalNews8.
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