I am looking to get a tripod but am confused over the maximum heights of all the ones I have looked at so far?

mostly the photographer would set the tripod on something like a rock or level elevated ground if traveling or cant carry much. i know there are tripods taller than 5 ft., it depends where you look. you can probably find one at camera shop or a big chain electronics store that also sells cameras such as best buy, circuit city, or possibly even wal mart ( i wouldnt count on that though).