[Jeff]

Welcome to the community, Kori!

Hiking the PCT is an awesome goal. I've done sections of it, but only short parts in San Diego County.

My friend Shawnte has a great book on section hiking the southern section of the PCT. It includes SD County (duh) but goes all the way up to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite.

https://amzn.to/3uHkvau

[Jeff]

This has been updated for 2022!

Advance permits are required from June 15th to October 15th. The forest service has increased the day use quota for the Devil's Lake trailhead to 100 people per day, and improved the permit process. Day-use permits will be released in two rolling windows: 10 days and then two days before the trip date. Online permit request form (begins June 5, 2022).

[Jeff]

We have an overview page for Mount Mansfield here: https://socialhiker.net/six-pack-peaks-challenge/new-england/mount-mansfield/

AFAIK there is no reservation requirement, though there is a day use fee of $4 per adult.

@crw0302 or @sasamarinkovic89 may be able to shed some additional light on this.

Mount Mansfield

[Jeff]

Thanks, Kori! Worked well for me.

[Jeff]

Hi Annamarie!

You can hike the peaks from any trail, but the key is that it should be a challenge for YOU!

Some of the peaks (Mt Tam, Diablo, and Mt Umunhum) have roads that could be driven to the top. Obviously that would not count.

If you have another route up any of the peaks that is challenging for you, we allow it.

The routes we link to are our recommendations. Some people find ways to make them even harder! Others take a route that may be about the same or even a little easier (but still challenging for them).

Because it’s a personal challenge and not a race, we trust our challengers honor and integrity.

[Jeff]

Hi Suzanne! Congratulations on completing the Arizona Winter Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge! 🙌

Right now we don't actually do anything with points, BUT we are working on that. We are going to be “leveling up” our points and recognition systems this year. We have some very cool things planned that I'm excited to share more about in the coming months.

Also, we will begin mailing out finisher patches and certificates for the Arizona Winter challenge in early May. Watch your mailbox! 📫

[Jeff]

Hi Jared! You are soooo close! Just two peaks left to hike by April 30th!

Yes, in addition to the bragging rights of seeing your name up on the Finishers List, we send out an embroidered finisher patch and certificate to everyone who completes the challenge. For the Arizona Winter Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, which ends on April 30th, we'll start mailing those in May. We usually give challengers a few days to log their last minute hikes. 😉

[Jeff]

Congratulations, Navnit!

In previous years, we have waited until the end of the challenge (December 2022 for NorCal) to start sending out finisher patches and certificates. Our goal was to reduce waste by allowing us to order more accurately. We now have some historical data to help us with those estimates.

This year we have pre-ordered finisher patches for the NorCal, SoCal and San Diego challenges. They are due to arrive early next month, and we will begin mailing patches and certificates to finishers in the order they appear on the finisher list.

We will offer finisher t-shirts in the shop, but these actually list the names of all the finishers, so they won't be available to purchase until sometime in January 2023 (when we have all the finisher names).

[Jeff]

Hi Brenda!

We don't have any in the office, but I *think* we may have one for you in storage. I need to do some hunting… wish me luck!

[Jeff]

Hi Rob! We are hoping that San Bernardino Peak reopens soon, and when it does, we will add it to the SoCal Challenge (so we will be back to 12 peaks).

Fingers crossed! 🤞

[Jeff]

Welcome to the community, Margaret! My wife has chronic asthma, but like you, she still gets out there. In my opinion, the slowest time WINS! You get to see, experience and enjoy more at a slower pace.

But regardless of whether you go slow or fast, the fact that you're out on the trail is a mark of success.

[Jeff]

No problem, Tushar! I've added you back in.

I also shortened your username to remove the domain extension (so your email address isn't exposed).

If you' like a short intro to getting around the site, be sure to check out Navigation Social Hiker.

[Jeff]

Oh fantastic! Those desert sunsets can be spectacular. Looking forward to the photos.

[Jeff]

All of the finisher patches and certificates were sent out sometime back in February. If you haven't received yours by now, it's lost in the mail. Send an email to support@socialadventures.net with your current mailing address and we will send out a replacement.

[Jeff]

If you go to Challenges > NorCal you'll get an overview of the six peaks in the challenge, with links to detailed trail guides.

Here's a direct link to the page for Mount Umunhum, including turn-by-turn directions on Google Maps. If you use the Google Maps link, you can zoom in to see the parking lot at the top.

Note: driving to the top doesn't count as hiking to the top. 😉