Texas Couple Sets Record for Most U.S. State Highpoints Reached in 24 Hours

A husband and wife duo from Arlington, Texas has set a new record for the most U.S. state highpoints reached in a 24-hour period, completing the feat over Labor Day weekend by summiting seven of them in just under a day.

Matthew and Yendry Lucci at the summit of Hoye-Crest (Backbone Mountain), the last of Seven Highpoints in their Record-Breaking Journey

Matthew and Yendry Lucci, both 26, began their journey at the top of Woodall Mountain in Mississippi at 11:16 a.m. ET on August 30 and ended at Maryland’s Backbone Mountain at 11:14 a.m. ET on August 31. Along the way, they climbed the highest points in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, and West Virginia.

“There is still a lot of this world left to be explored,” Matthew told ALM. “This was an opportunity for us to go beyond what anyone has ever done before.”

Their achievement surpasses the previous record of six highpoints in 24 hours, set by adventurer Colin O’Brady in 2018. O’Brady still holds the record for the fastest time to climb all 50 U.S. state highpoints.

Some of the Luccis’ Labor Day summits were easily accessible by car, while others required hikes from trailheads. One of most grueling came in Kentucky, where they tackled Black Mountain via a steep, unmaintained road only passable with four-wheel drive, reaching its summit just after 2 a.m.

“It was a challenging experience but fun at the same time,” Yendry said. “We had to eat in the car while driving, take short naps, stop at strategic gas stations for food and restrooms, and deal with the lack of sleep. All that combined made it extra difficult. But the best part was spending time with my husband, knowing this was an adventure we always wanted to do.”

Matthew echoed her sentiment. “I am so proud of my wife for getting out of her comfort zone and pushing herself so hard,” he said. “There’s no one I’d rather do this with.”

For Matthew, who has summited 16 high points so far, the hiking itself was not the biggest challenge. “The hiking wasn’t too difficult, but the fact that we were on a time crunch made everything so much more challenging,” he said. “This is something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and getting to experience all these high points with Yen in 24 hours was an incredible experience.”

The Luccis’ accomplishment comes within the growing niche of “highpointing,” a pursuit in which adventurers attempt to reach the highest elevation in each of the 50 U.S. states. For some, it’s a lifelong journey requiring everything from strolls up modest hills to technical climbs like Alaska’s Denali, the highest peak in North America.

Many of the state highpoints are accessible by road or short trail, but others demand serious preparation. Mount Rainier in Washington requires glacier travel, while Gannett Peak in Wyoming involves a multi-day backcountry expedition. Reaching all 50 remains a rare and prestigious achievement in the mountaineering and adventure community.

The record the Luccis broke focuses on efficiency, endurance, and meticulous planning. Routes must be optimized to maximize drive times between peaks, while still leaving enough energy for quick ascents. “You literally had just 24 hours to complete all the high points,” Yendry said. “That’s what made it so difficult.”

The Luccis now hold the record for most U.S. state highpoints reached in 24 hours with seven summits. Their next goal is to continue adding to their totals, and explore more of the world together. When asked if they plan on going to all 50 State High Points, they replied “maybe, only time will tell. For now, we need some rest.”

For more information about Highpointing, readers are encouraged to visit www.highpointers.org