EPISODE 3: Why I Climb — A Decade of Peaks with Legacy Challenger Philip Yoho

Welcome back to the Social Adventures podcast, the show where we explore the stories behind the miles, the mountains, and the people who find meaning in the journey. I'm your host, Jeff Hester.

Today we're diving into a special conversation in our series, Why I Climb. And my guest is someone many people in the Six-Pack of Peaks hiking community probably already know—Philip Yoho.

Philip has been part of the Six-Pack of Peaks community for a full decade. He's a Legacy Challenger, which means he's completed at least one challenge every year for the past four years… but actually he's done it for the past ten years. A ten-year legacy challenger.

In 2025 alone, he completed—I think I have this right—seven challenges in the series: SoCal, San Diego, Utah, Colorado, Adirondacks, New England, and Lake Tahoe. He’s also steadily working his way through the state highpoints list.

Living the dream—traveling the country with his trailer (when the axle isn't broken), exploring new trails, and hiking as much as possible.

Beyond the miles and achievements, Philip has been a huge advocate for the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge and an incredible part of the SoCal hiking community. His consistency, passion, and deep love for the mountains make him the perfect guest for our first Why I Climb episode.

Sponsor Message

Before we jump in, a quick note:
This episode is brought to you by the 2026 Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge Series. Registration is now open.
2026 brings more opportunities to explore new trails, push your limits, and join a community of hikers who inspire one another all year long.

With 17 regional challenges (and more on the way), curated peak lists, hike logs, badges, and a supportive online community, the Six-Pack of Peaks is designed to help you build fitness, find adventure, and connect with others who share your passion for the outdoors.

Whether you're aiming to complete your first challenge—or like Philip, your… oh my gosh, 28th or 29th—you can learn more at sixpackofpeaks.com or socialhikers.net.

Interview

Welcome

JEFF:
All right—let’s dive into our conversation with legacy challenger Philip Yoho and explore the deeper reasons why he climbs.

(audience applauding)

Welcome, Philip. I really appreciate you coming on. So take us back to the beginning—how did you get started in hiking? How long have you been hiking?

How Philip Started Hiking

PHILIP:
I started hiking in 2015—just outdoor, having-fun type hiking. A friend at work came up to me and said:

“Hey Phil, I have some clients… I’m taking them to Mount San Jacinto. I want you to go.”

I told him, “No, I don't do that anymore.” I stopped hiking when I retired from the Marines.

He bugged me for a couple weeks, and I finally gave in. Turned out to be the most miserable, worst first hike I could have been on. Not because of my ability—but because of the group. It was the Marion Mountain Trail to San Jacinto. I was in good shape, but not hiking shape. It took 13 hours to go 12.4 miles. My legs were killing me.

But afterward, I thought, I can do better than that. So two weeks later, I went again by myself, planned to stop halfway, eat, drink… and when I opened my pack at mile 4—no food. It was all in the trunk.

Rookie mistake.

But I ran to the top anyway, came back exhausted, leaning against my tire in the parking lot eating everything I had in the trunk. And it was like an epiphany:

“Oh my god. This is awesome. I love this.”

Three weeks later, I did San Jacinto again. By then it was too late in the season to do all six peaks that first year. So I signed up for the 2016 Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, plotted everything out, and I was sold. Every year since has gotten better.

Meeting Community & Becoming a Hike Leader

PHILIP:
In 2017, I did Climb for Heroes. You weren’t there that year—you were in Korea—so CC led the SoCal Hikers group photo. I was on one side of the flag; her husband Pascal was on the other.

Months later, I was doing San Bernardino Peak, and CC crossed paths with me.

I said, “Hey, I know you.”

She said, “I don't think so.”

I told her, “You took the Climb for Heroes photo. I was holding the flag.”

By the time I got home, I had an invite to join her group. I hiked with them for a year, then she asked if I wanted to be a co-lead. That was great for keeping me going.

People started messaging me:
“We want to do the Six-Pack, but don’t know the trails. Will you take us?”

So I did the challenge three times in a year with different groups. And that sense of community—that accountability—kept me motivated.

Why He Keeps Coming Back Every Year

JEFF:
You’ve done the Six-Pack for ten years. What keeps you coming back?

PHILIP:
Health, first and foremost. I'm not getting any younger.

I don’t go to the gym anymore—I have my own setup and I ruck a lot. But being outside is everything. I’ll hike rain or snow; I once got caught in a San Jacinto snowstorm, post-holing almost thigh-deep. But I love it.

Over the years, my pace has slowed drastically—not because I can’t go fast, but because I want to enjoy it again. The wilderness, wildlife, the people… I talk to everyone on the trail. As a Wilderness First Responder, I’m always checking if people are OK.

It’s the joy of being out there—not racing to the summit anymore.

Favorite Challenge

JEFF:
Do you have a favorite challenge?

PHILIP:
The original SoCal Six-Pack. The first six peaks I learned. I've probably done San Jacinto 30 times from seven different routes.

Memorable Peaks This Year

PHILIP:
Colorado Six-Pack with you all—amazing.

I did three 14ers before the group even arrived, so seven 14ers in ten days.

New Mexico: I only got Wheeler Peak because a snowstorm rolled in. Next year I’ll go back for the rest.

And I met a family trying to complete all 50 state highpoints—the dad had done all of them. That was inspiring.

State Highpoints

JEFF:
How many state highpoints have you completed?

PHILIP:
Twenty. Eighteen of them this year alone.

Boundary Peak was the hardest because of an injury.
Kings Peak in Utah was a 28.5-mile day—I started at 3 AM, met a cougar, got caught in a rainstorm, and had to take the longer route back. A long day.

Plans for More Highpoints

PHILIP:
I don’t think I’ll do all 50—Denali requires expedition-level skills. Same with Montana and Wyoming. But I hope to do Rainier, and Mount Hood with some Oregon friends next spring.

Traveling the U.S. in a Trailer

JEFF:
You’ve been traveling—any favorite regions?

PHILIP:
Mount Washington in New Hampshire—awesome. East coast trails don’t believe in switchbacks. It’s straight-up boulder climbing.

Mount Marcy in New York was great too. I did 18+ miles that day after doing a brutal 1.1-mile bouldering section to another peak first.

Most Meaningful Non-Hiking Moment

PHILIP:
Ohio’s highpoint. It’s on a former Air Force base with a small museum. The guy running it invited me in—spent two hours hearing stories. He gave me a challenge coin to give my sister, whose late husband was retired Air Force—and gave me one too. That was special.

Lessons From the Mountains

PHILIP:
Knowing when to turn around—avoiding summit fever.

Early on, I wouldn’t quit. Now, I know it’s OK to come back another day.

Mountains teach patience, adaptation, and that everything will still be there tomorrow.

What He Hopes Others Learn

PHILIP:
Health and wellness.
Land navigation—do you have a map? Compass? Know your direction?
First aid—can you treat real injuries?

Basic skills matter.

Lightning Round

JEFF: Favorite peak snack?
PHILIP: Pickles.

JEFF: Peak you could hike every year and never get tired of?
PHILIP: San Jacinto.

JEFF: Hardest peak you’ve ever done?
PHILIP: Boundary Peak (because of an injury).

JEFF: Bucket list peak?
PHILIP: All the peaks in the last five challenges.

JEFF: Favorite trail-town breakfast?
PHILIP: I don’t drink coffee. But I make killer breakfast burritos.

JEFF: One item you overpack or underpack?
PHILIP: Water. I often overpack, sometimes underpack—but I always drink a liter before starting.

Goals for 2026

PHILIP:
Do the five remaining challenges I haven’t done.
Travel to Arizona, Tennessee, Pennsylvania for trailer rallies.
Get back east to do Katahdin.
Then head south for Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Alabama highpoints.

Inspiring Others

PHILIP:
Lead by example.
Show what a good hiker and good leader looks like.

How to Connect

PHILIP:
Facebook: Philip Yoho
Instagram: philip.yoho
You can reach out anytime—I’m always open.

Final Question

JEFF:
Sum up in one sentence… why you climb?

PHILIP:
The pure joy—being out there, seeing God’s creation. Just pure joy.

JEFF:
Philip, thank you so much for being part of this first Why I Climb episode. I loved hiking the Colorado Six-Pack with you this year. Thanks for being such a big part of the community and an inspiration to so many.

PHILIP:
Same to you. You're a huge inspiration to everyone who signs up for these challenges. Thanks for hosting the Colorado hike. Even if my trailer didn’t work. (laughs)