Ocean To Peak Adventures
Mountain Summit Challenge
ABOUT THE MOUNTAIN SUMMMIT CHALLENGE
The Ocean To Peak Adventures Mountain Summit Challenge aka "MSC" isn’t just about hiking mountains, it’s about discovering your potential, connecting with others, and embracing the adventure of a lifetime.
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What began as a mountain hiking challenge has grown into a vibrant, Community of outdoor enthusiasts, people of all backgrounds, ages, and experience levels, united by a shared passion for exploration, personal growth, authentic connection, and the love of the mountains.
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How the Challenge works
This is an adventurous 12-month challenge for anyone who enjoys hiking, climbing, or wants to be motivated and inspired to get outdoors. Challengers can try any of the summits on the list, either going solo, with fellow participants, or on a Team. The goal is to complete summits on the Summit List and complete levels starting with the Beginner Level. Every level has a set number of summits to complete. There are four levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert. Each level is designed to help Challengers build strength, confidence, skills, endurance, and create an adventurous mindset as they work their way up to the higher levels or even complete an entire challenge. For more details on the number of summits to complete on each level, how to get credit for your summits, the challenge timeline, and more info, see the Rules of the Challenge.
To keep Challenges fresh and exciting, The Summit List changes every year as do many of the routes of summits brought back on the list. Some years a unique level is introduced like the West Coast High Peaks Level in 2022 or the Tower Level in 2023. ​​​
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Completing the Entire Challenge
Challengers can hike any of the summits and levels but for those who want to complete the entire Mountain Summit Challenge (all of the levels), challengers will need to figure out a strategy. There are numerous summits on the Advanced and Expert Levels that can put you in different weather conditions, diverse terrain, and various locations spread out throughout the region. Only 12 people have ever completed an entire Challenge! Preparation, timing, confidence, mountain knowledge, and safety are key to completing all of the levels. Challengers can earn spots on the Mountain Summit Team by completing the Advanced or Expert Levels.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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​​​​​​Connection Through Shared Experiences
Community​
Every summit tells a story and our community shares those stories together.
When challengers complete a summit, they post their journey in the Mountain Summit Challenge Facebook Group, sharing photos, summit selfies, and reflections from the trail.
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Since launching in 2022, thousands of posts, comments, and celebrations have filled the group turning it into a thriving hub of support, connection, and inspiration. Whether cheering others on, trading trail tips, or celebrating a milestone, the MSC community reminds us that the best adventures are the ones we share.
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​Events and Awards
Throughout the year, challengers can join group hikes, climbs, Classes, and Events.
Every January, we come together for the Mountain Summit Awards & Reception, a celebration of the year’s accomplishments and a chance to connect with fellow adventurers, friends, and family. Certificates are awarded to challengers who complete levels.
It’s one of the highlights of the year filled with stories from the trail, shared laughter, and a look at the new Mountain Summit Challenge ahead.
HISTORY OF THE CHALLENGE
The OTP Mountain Summit Challenge was created in 2021 by Josh Ochner. His goal was to inspire hikers, adventurers, mountain climbers, and anyone who loved being in the mountains to get outdoors and climb and hike while forging authentic bonds with others in who share the spirit of exploration. What began as a dream quickly grew into a dynamic mountain hiking community, drawing people from across California.
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MSC 2022
The first-ever Mountain Summit Challenge, MSC 2022, was officially launched in November of 2021, and to this day is considered the toughest and most demanding challenge in the entire series. It included 32 summits, all of which had to be completed to finish the challenge. There were no Beginner summits, only:
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9 Intermediate
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11 Advanced
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5 Expert
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7 West Coast High Peaks (spanning multiple states)
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On September 8, 2022, Josh Ochner made OTP history as the first person to complete every level through Expert, finishing all 9 Intermediates, 11 Advanced, and 5 Experts. Later that year, on December 29, 2022, Todd Seward joined him by completing every level through Expert as well. Josh and Todd became the first two climbers and the only two this year to earn their spot on the OTP Expert/Pro Mountain Summit Team, setting a high bar for all future challengers. ​​​​​
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MSC 2024 — Historic Completions
Nearly two years later, on June 21, 2024, Josh Ochner reached the summit of Mt. Thielsen (Oregon) and became the first person in OTP history to finish an entire Mountain Summit Challenge. He conquered three Expert-level peaks that year—Thompson Peak, San Jacinto via Cactus to Clouds (hiking it in month of June with 110 degrees temps), and Mt. Thielsen.
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Just one month later, on July 17, 2024, Matthew Storm completed the MSC 2024, becoming the second person to accomplish this milestone. His Expert summits included Thompson Peak, Mt. Abbot, San Jacinto (C2C), Mt. Thielsen, and Matterhorn Peak.
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On July 27, 2024, Stephanie Serson carved her own place in OTP history by becoming the first woman to complete an entire Mountain Summit Challenge. On that date she summited her third Expert peak, Mt. Williamson (14,380 ft), earning her spot as the third member of the OTP Expert/Pro Mountain Summit Team.
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Then, on September 8, 2024, Bibiel Ferreira stood on the summit of Mt. Sill (14,159 ft) and completed MSC 2024. She became the second woman and the fourth person in OTP history to finish a full Mountain Summit Challenge.​​
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Join The Challenge
Register as a Challenger, read the Rules of the Challenge, receive your MSC packet — start the Challenge.