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Ocean To Peak Adventures

Mountain Summit Challenge

Image by Kristjan Kotar

RULES FOR THE MSC 2026

Challenge Timeline

  • Starts: January 1 each year

  • Ends: December 31

  • Only summits completed within these 12 months count.

Routes

  • Beginner through Advanced Levels: Must use preset MSC routes

  • Expert Level: One Preset Route for (BAY AREA) and the rest are "Choose your own route"

  • Entry Point: Can start anywhere on the route but must finish at the same entry spot and do full preset route.

Recording Routes

  • Use a GPS Recording App (Gaia, AllTrails, Strava, Relive, etc.) to track your hike/climb:

  • Start at the entry point → reach the summit → return to entry point

Levels and Status

  • Levels: Beginner → Intermediate → Advanced → Expert.

  • Complete all summits in a level to earn “Status” for that level.

  • Higher levels require completion of all lower levels.

  • 4 Summits on Beginner Level

  • 4 Summits on Intermediate Level

  • 7 Summits on Advanced Level

  • 3 Summits on Expert Level

Gear

  • Only human-powered travel is allowed (hiking, snowshoeing, biking, skiing, climbing, etc.). They can not be used on the Expert Level

  • Check park/mountain rules before using equipment.

Points System

Each summit earns points:

  • Beginner: 1 point

  • Intermediate: 2 points

  • Advanced: 4 points

  • Expert: 8 points

  • Points are tracked on the Climber Results Page

Teams

Teams

  • Teams: 2+ members.

  • Create a team name

  • You can participate as both an individual and a team member.

Create or join a team at any time​

Creating a team

  • Form a team with fellow challengers or with your friends who will participate in the Challenge.

  • When you first register for the challenge, add your team's name. You can also create or join a team at any time throughout the Challenge and email us your name info.Oceantopeak@gmail.com

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Joining an already ESTABLISHED TEAM​​

  • If you join a team that has already completed summits, you can catch up by completing those same summits.

  • If the team has already completed a level, you do not need to redo the summit labeled “At least one team member must complete”.

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Joining a NEW TEAM as a progressed member

  • If you join a new team and have already completed the same summits that the team is planning to hike/climb, then you only need to join the team for summits that require "Everyone on your team completes together", even if you’ve already completed them before.

Team Level Completion

Beginner & Intermediate Levels (4 summit each)

  • 2 Summits: Everyone on your team completes together

  • 1 Summit: Each member completes individually or with team members (can be on different days). Great for when your schedules don't align

  • 1 Summit: At least one team member must complete

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Advanced Level (7 Summits)

  • 4 Summits: Everyone on your team completes together

  • 2 Summits: Each member completes individually or with team members (can be on different days).

  • 1 Summit: At least one team member must complete​​​

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  • Expert Level (3 Summits)

    • All 3 summits: everyone completes together

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After Completing a Level

  • Once your team completes a level, all additional summits on that level must be completed as a team​​​

Teams Submitting Summit Forms

  • When a team completes a summit, one team member fills out a Summit Form for the team. Use the Team Name not individual's name.

  • Each team member must submit their own individual summit form (no team name) if they want to get credit as an individual challenger

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GETTING CREDIT FOR YOUR SUMMITS

Step 1: Submit Your Summits​​ with this FORM

Step 2: Post your adventure​

  • Make a post in the Mountain Summit Challenge Facebook Community with:

    1. Summit name

    2. Date you completed the summit

    3. Day or multi-day hike (include duration)

    4. Trail photos and summit proof (selfie with your MSC sticker or card at the summit).

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  • If you don't have a Facebook account, then send your summit pics and details to us Info.OceanToPeak@gmail.com. You will still need to submit your completed summits with the Form.

Summit Posts for Groups & Teams:

One post can cover multiple people if:

  • Everyone is tagged, and

  • Each person and at least one MSC sticker/card is visible in the summit photos.

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