I would like to pass along a method that I have developed over the years for determining the higher of two points. This could be especially useful for county HP'ers who want to determine which of two points is actually higher. Of course all HP'ers need to know the exact "sacred spot." This is a refinement of the old HP'er trick of sighting across the water level in a water bottle, but I have refined it to an accuracy of about 20-24 inches per mile!

1. Buy a 4 ft x 1/2-inch dia. aluminum tube, square or round. I use square. This serves as the "gunsight."

2. Fasten crosshairs with tape on one end of the gunsight.

3. Buy a 6 ft long x 1/2-inch dia. clear plastic flexible tubing.

4. Fasten each end of the tubing to the ends of the gunsight (I use rubber bands)so the tubing sticks up above the gunsight a bit.

5. Mount the gunsight onto a tree or stick so that it can pivot a little, and aim the gunsight at the other point in question.

6. Mostly fill the tubing with water and pivot the gunsight so that the water miniscus in the tubing lines up perfectly with marks on the gunsight. The gunsight is now perfectly level.

7. Sight through the now perfectly level gunsight past the crosshairs to the point in question. I will usually be obvious whether the other point is higher or lower.

OK. I know this is probably not endorsed by the American Society of Surveyers, but it is easy, very light, and highly accurate. Does anyone else have any other methods?

- A standard 4 foot carpenter's level will do the same task and has fewer moving parts. I used this method to ascertain the highest point (of 3) in Campbell County, VA.

- Hand levels cost between $25 and [much higher]. Depending on the magnification, you can get reasonably accurate over some serious distances. I have a 5x that gives me results in the 5-10 ft range over a mile, although I tend to limit it to a half mile or so. Plus, it fits into my pocket.

- There may be other answers which are more expensive.

hojo