When you hike with over-achievers, you know you'll finish the Six (or Eight) Pack of Peaks Challenge no matter what. I just didn't think I would finish it so quickly in June this year, right before we tackle Half Dome next week and Mt. Whitney in August.

With hikes like San Gorgonio, you go into it with your eyes wide open, your legs rested and your backpack filled to the brim, especially if you've done it before. You just know it's going to hurt, like a medical or dental procedure. But you do it anyway, because you're a masochist and you finish everything you start.

So it was a fitting finale to summit this mountain and finish the challenge. We took frequent breaks and thousands of pictures. We made friends at the summit – the hungry squirrels included. With the fierce wind in our hair and the gravelly trail underneath our feet, we said hello and goodbye to San Gorgonio. Well, goodbye this season. Or maybe not. There is such a thing called an encore right? I would be so open to it.