[Jeff]

Hi Alden!

Normally we keep the hike logs open for a full week into the next year, so for your 2023 challenge, we would've shut those down by mid-January. But send me an email Jeff.hester@socialadventures.net with a link to your AllTrails or Strava and if I can confirm the hikes, I'll see if we can get you added.

[Jeff]

Hi Erika! Welcome to Social Hikers! 👋

Yes, the peaks you’ve completed before you register can count, as long as they were hiked in the current challenge year.

[Jeff]

We do require a photo from your hike, but there is no need to wait for the welcome packet to get started. You have access to log your hikes from the website or the app as soon as you register.

[Jeff]

Hi Lacey! I’m out of the office at the moment, but I will check this out this weekend. I’ll get it sorted for you.

[Jeff]

Hey Darryl,

I saw that you are signed up for both the SoCal and the San Diego challenges. I'm going to guess that you're referring to doing the original six peaks from the SoCal challenge: Mount Wilson, Cucamonga Peak, San Antonio (Mt Baldy), San Bernardino, San Jacinto and San Gorgonio.

First, this has been done in less than 48 hours a number of years ago by two guys.

If you're looking for efficiency, I'd probably do them in this order:

San Jacinto (furthest east)

San Gorgonio and San Bernardino (you can connect these two via the ridge, if you are supported)

Cucamonga Peak and San Antonio (Mt Baldy) – these two are close, but I wouldn't bother trying to hike between them. Just do them as two hikes.

Mount Wilson – This is the lowest and furthest west.

This order travels roughly from the east to the west, and groups hikes that are close to each other. As I mention, San Gorgonio and San Bernardino can be done together (I've done this as an overnight backpack trip), but to be efficient, you'd start and end at different trailheads. If you have a support vehicle, that would work.

Speaking of which, I strongly advise having a support team to handle the driving between trailheads, and bring one or two changes of shoes and socks.

[Jeff]

I’ll check into this.

[Jeff]

Eric nailed it.

The “original” six peaks were used to help me train for the John Muir Trail, and went in order of maximum elevation:

1. Mount Wilson
2. Cucamonga Peak
3. Mount San Antonio (aka Mount Baldy)
4. San Bernardino Peak
5. San Jacinto Peak
6. San Gorgonio

Some years, one or more peaks have been inaccessible due to wildfires. Plus, we have people who have completed the challenge multiple times (including some that are completing the challenge for their 10th consecutive year!). To keep it fresh, we added six alternative peaks. The rules are simple; you can pick any six of the 12 peaks in the SoCal Challenge, and hike them in any sequence, from any trailhead. The goal is to do something that would be challenging for YOU. Everyone's challenge will be different in that sense.

There's a few variations that people use to keep it interesting, including trying to finish within a certain period (six weeks or even six days), or completing them all as overnight backpacking trips. We have some who have trained to gain winter mountaineering skills and climbed them in winter conditions. Lots of options.

Have fun and grow through the experience!

[Jeff]

I just checked, and your 2023 finisher pin and certificate were delivered on February 22. But the address was in Las Vegas. Did you move?

https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction.action?tLabels=9400136105536394883770

[Jeff]

This should be fixed now. 😉

[Jeff]

Not really. Obviously for some there are not many options, but most will use the fastest/shortest route.

Mount Wilson – Currently the Mt Wilson Trail

Cucamonga Peak – via Icehouse Canyon

Mt Baldy – via Manker Flats > Ski Hut

San Bernardino – San Bernardino Trail

San Jacinto – Via Tram > Wellman’s Divide

San Gorgonio – Vivian Creek

[Jeff]

Also, I’m in Spokane thru Monday. I’ll mail your welcome packet Tuesday. 😉

[Jeff]

Hi Megan! All of the 2023 finisher packets were mailed months ago. I’m not at my computer , but I’ll check on this when I get back.

[Jeff]

Most of the challenges run from January 1st to December 31st. The exceptions are in Arizona, where the Winter challenge runs from November 1st to April 30th, and the Summer challenge runs May 1st to October 31st.

[Jeff]

Fixed! Not sure what happened, but you are on the list now. Congratulations!

• This reply was modified 7 months, 3 weeks ago by  Jeff.

[Jeff]

Paul is also setup, and should receive an automated email from Social Hikers instructing him on creating his password.