Ocean To Peak Adventures
Mountain Summit Challenge
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.​​​​​
​​​​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.
