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Itching for a challenge when she turned 60, Jane Bertrand set out to reach the highest point of each state. Her strategic mistake was to start with the easiest ones, leaving the most strenuous for the end of this decade-long quest. She recruited over 50 family members, colleagues, and childhood friends to join her in making this the experience of a lifetime.

Jane Trowbridge Bertrand is a professor at the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. A Maine native, she moved to New Orleans over 40 years ago where she and her husband Bill raised their children, Katy and Jacob. Her recurrent travel to Africa in connection with international family planning work generated many of the frequent flyer miles that made this highpointing pursuit possible.

“If there is such a thing as a Fountain of Youth, Jane Bertrand may have driven, hiked, climbed, and yes, even stumbled upon it as she pursued her dream of visiting as many of the highest spots in each of the 50 U.S. States as she deemed possible. Her journey began at age 60, but along the way over the next decade, she allowed herself to modify her goals in often-surprising ways. She experienced failures and successes, moments of doubt and periods of joy, but throughout, she cherished her friends and companions on these adventures, as well as her solo explorations. 

“This is a story of a woman who sets out to complete a list of objectives, yet recognizes that it truly is all about the journey. Travel with her across the country to discover both physical and mental strength she didn’t realize she had and a new perspective from the highest places, both literally and figuratively.

“Happy Highpointing! — Diane Winger, co-author with Charlie Winger of Highpoint Adventures – the complete guide to the 50 state highpoints and completer of 49 state highpoints http://WingerBooks.com

“If there is such a thing as a Fountain of Youth, Jane Bertrand may have driven, hiked, climbed, and yes, even stumbled upon it as she pursued her dream of visiting the highest spots in each of the 50 U.S. States. Travel with her across the country to discover both physical and mental strength she didn’t realize she had and a new perspective from the highest places, both literally and ­figuratively.

I have always been impressed when people move beyond their comfort zone and push themselves. Jane Bertrand caught the Highpointing bug, as so many have, and pushed herself higher, harder, further. Each time she reached a “limit,” she simply re-set the bar higher. This book is a rewarding tale of a woman who discovered just what she could accomplish well after most folks are contemplating their retirement years.” —Dave Covill, President of the Highpointers Foundation and 50 state highpoints completer

“You Started WHAT after 60? reminds us that it’s often more the journey than the destination. Bertrand’s account of getting lost on the trail and fighting the inevitable weather glitches gives up-and-coming highpointers an inside view of the adventures they can expect. Her book is a welcome addition to the eclectic collection of guidebooks and memoirs on highpointing.” —Alan Ritter, President of the Highpointers Club and completer of 48 state highpoints