2007 Sierra Challenge
August 3-12

Last Updated: 7/15/07

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Reports & Pics
DatePeakRT milesElev. gain
Fri, Aug 3 The Doodad 115,200ft
Sat, Aug 4   Rodgers Peak 255,700ft
Sun, Aug 5 Mt. Goethe 174,300ft
Mon, Aug 6 The Hermit 237,500ft
Tue, Aug 7 Gendarme Peak 123,500ft
Wed, Aug 8 Cardinal Mtn. 168,000ft
Thu, Aug 9 West Vidette 227,300ft
Fri, Aug 10 Mt. Bradley 106,400ft
Sat, Aug 11 Mt. Hale 157,300ft
Sun, Aug 12 Mt. Newcomb 306,200ft

The Sierra Challenge is a series of ten consecutive dayhikes to some of the most challenging peaks in the Sierra Nevada range. The peaks for the 2007 event were chosen based on several criteria: they don't appear on previous Challenges; they hold special interest to the organizer; they are demanding dayhikes, much like the 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 events that preceded it. They average 17 miles of hiking/climbing, with an average of 6,200ft elevation gain. Not unlike climbing Half Dome, but more off-trail, more technically demanding, and at higher elevation. The Challenge is open to anyone who wishes to participate, whether for a single day or all ten. This is primarily a Wilderness experience, and as such there are serious risks involved that are the responsibility of each individual participant to manage for themselves. There are no water, food, or first-aid stations, no emergency services or shelter of any kind available to those in trouble. If you are uncomfortable accepting such risks in any way, you should not participate.

The Peaks

The previous challenges drew from the Sierra Club's SPS Peaks List, all of them located on or near the Sierra crest in the High Sierra region, stretching from northern Yosemite to the Golden Trout Wilderness south of Mt. Whitney. For the 2007 event, a new list of ten peaks was selected, nine from the SPS list, and 1 other of special interest for its more technically challenging summit. The peaks selected range from class 2 to class 4 in technical difficulty and should include something of interest for almost any peakbagger.
PeakElevationClassLocationTrailheadRoundtrip MilesElevation Gain (ft)Date
The Doodad 11680 3 (5.6 summit block) Hoover Wilderness Twin Lakes 11 5200 Fri. Aug 3 (6a start)
Rodgers Peak 12978 2-3 Ansel Adams Wilderness Silver Lake 25 5700 Sat. Aug 4 (5a start)
Mt. Goethe 13264 3 John Muir Wilderness North Lake 17 4300 Sun. Aug 5 (6a start)
The Hermit 12328 3 (5.7 summit block) Kings Canyon NP North Lake 23 7500 Mon. Aug 6 (5a start)
Gendarme Peak 13241 3 John Muir Wilderness South Lake 12 3500 Tue. Aug 7 (6a start)
Cardinal Mtn. 13396 2 John Muir Wilderness Taboose Creek 16 8000 Wed. Aug 8 (5a start)
West Vidette 12533 2 Kings Canyon NP Onion Valley 22 7300 Thu. Aug 9 (5a start)
Mt. Bradley 13264 2-3 John Muir Wilderness Onion Valley 10 6400 Fri. Aug 10 (6a start)
Mt. Hale 13494 2 SEKI National Park Whitney Portal 15 7300 Sat. Aug 11 (5a start)
Mt. Newcomb 13422 2-3 SEKI NP Horseshoe Meadow 30 6200 Sun. Aug 12 (5a start)

Why the Challenge?

Good question. I like the challenge of an endurance event, but I'm not so good with the sleep deprivation that goes with some of the other challenges out there such as the California 14er record (set by Jack McBroom in four and a half days) and the Colorado 14er record (set by Ted Keizer in just under 11 days).

I figure there is no chance in hell I'm going to come close to either of these guys. I simply must bow down to their superior skills and stamina. I don't have the will to climb for days on end with little sleep, hiking way before sunup and way past sundown. I will leave it to others to chase those dreams...

The Sierra Challenge opens to a wider audience some of the same experiences of these marathon climbing events. I conceived it as a personal challenge that was at the edge of my own abilities, and wanted to share the experience with others who might similarly enjoy a good workout. Besides, suffering is more fun if you have someone to share it with. :)

Who is organizing this?

The Sierra Challenge is being primarily organized by Bob Burd. There is no legal entity responsible for this event and no grants available for advertising, promotion, or funding. It is being done on a volunteer basis (in terms of time, money, and energy), so please be kind to the organizer. He has a job and family, and so has limited time and resources. If you would like to help contribute to the organization of this event, please feel free to contact me.

How do I participate?

Send mail to snwbord@hotmail.com. Let me know which peaks you are interested in climbing. I will include you on a mail list for future info about carpooling, meeting times, changes, etc. I would like to collect the following information about you as well so that we can post it on this website. That will allow others to contact you for coordinating hiking, climbing, and driving partners. If you would like information to be kept confidential, please indicate this, and it will not be posted. If you're really worried about privacy, give me as much info as you see fit, your email address being the minimum required amount. You are also free to simply show up at the trailhead and join us, but it is helpful for planning purposes if you can let me know in advance that you intend to join us. Send a photo of yourself (or point me to one on the web) if you'd like your picture shown on your information page. It can prove useful to allow others to identify you at the trailhead or out on the trail.

  • Full Name
  • Email Address
  • Phone No.
  • Mailing Address
  • Which Peak Challenges do you plan to participate in?
  • Emergency contact info (name and phone #)
  • Age (only if under 25 or over 50)

    You may also choose to climb these peaks following The Rules on days other than those listed here. I will be happy to add your name to the finishers list provided that as a minimum you post a trip report about your adventure. You can post it here (via email), or any other place and simply pass along the URL for me to post on this website.

    What does this cost?

    Nominally, nothing. There are no entrance fees to participate in any of these hikes. You are responsible for your own food, lodging, and gear. There is a nominal charge for T-shirts, but there is no obligation to buy anything from the organizer.

    How am I scored?

    I attempt to track which peaks have been climbed by each participant, and how long they were out on the trail each day. Peaks are categorized as Challenge peaks, Bonus peaks (climbed in addition to the Challenge peak on the same day), or Alternates (Challenge peak not climbed that day). This is compiled on a spreadsheet which is posted online daily during the event. Here's the 2006 stat sheet as an example. Times are measured to the nearest five minutes. All participants are encouraged to aid me in collecting this information (since I won't be at the TH to time your return).

    A new rule was introduced in 2006 as it was acknowledged that the list of peaks grows more obscure each year - any of the previous years' Challenge peaks may also be climbed and count as a Challenge peak providing you haven't already climbed it on a previous Challenge.

    Scoring is based on the number of Challenge peaks you successfully summit. There is additional credit awarded for climbing "bonus" peaks. Roughly following the model of the Tour de France, there are four jerseys or categories that are tracked throughout the event.

    Yellow Jersey - Overall Leader

    This is the primary category, and simply tracks the number of Challenge peaks climbed throughout the ten days. One point is awarded if a Challenge peak is climbed. Generally, the maximum is one point per day, but an additional point will be awarded if two Challenge peaks from the same year are climbed on the same day.

    Polka Dot Jersey - King of the Mountain

    You are awarded one point for each peak climbed. If a Challenge peak is not climbed that day, a maximum of two points can be awarded (this is to discourage climbing a bunch of easy peaks).

    White Jersey - Best Young Climber (under 25yrs)

    This award goes to the young climber completing the most Challenge peaks. Scoring is identical to the yellow jersey.

    Green Jersey - Best Masters Climber (over 50yrs)

    This award goes to the older climber completing the most Challenge peaks. Scoring is identical to the yellow jersey.

    In the event of a tie in any category, the particant with the most peaks from this year's list will be the winner. If a tie still exists, the total time on the trail is used to determine the leader. Only total time for peaks from this year's list will be used in the determination (it would be unfair to compare times for say The Hermit and University Peak, for example). All scoring decisions are made by the event organizer and should be considered final (unless I change my mind). This does not mean that decisions cannot be influenced by participants. Scoring rules are subject to change.

    What are the prizes?

    There are no prizes. It is hoped that the enjoyment of participation is reward enough. There will be recognition on this website for all participants and finishers. If you were hoping for something more in the way of renumeration, please look elsewhere.

    What am I in for?

    Most of these peaks are usually climbed as multi-day trips into the Wilderness. As dayhikes these climbs are all very strenuous. You should not attempt any of them without proper training and experience. Only you can judge your level of preparedness, so no training formula can be given that works for everyone. There are those that train for months and still fail to summit Mt. Whitney even though a regular trail exists all the way to the top. There are others who because of outstanding physiology or possibly sheer will might not train at all and still go out and climb the toughest of these. I would expect that those with the best chances to succeed will have experience with long hikes combined with much elevation gain ( 20+ miles, 4000+ ft), extensive cross-country travel, and are comfortable climbing class 3 rock, snow, and ice.

    You should not expect others to lead you to the summit or wait for you along the way. No one has yet started out running on any of the previous Challenges, but the pace in the front is brisk, around 3mph on the uphills. A fast pace allows participants to reach the summit before afternoon thunderstorms may appear, as well as to get off the trail to start resting for the next day as early as possible. You should carry a map and whatever other gear you deem appropriate to be self-sufficient, and be familiar with the route (study it beforehand, and know how to read your map) in case you find yourself alone because others didn't wait for you. That said, it is primarily a social experience. We would rather hike as a group, climb to the summit together, returning to town to eat and drink together while reliving the day's adventure. If you aren't going to keep up, it's usually clear in the first hour or so. If the technical difficulty is more than you're comfortable with, don't be afraid to speak up for some additional guidance, or to turn back and call it a day. A number of past participants have turned back before reaching the summit but still enjoyed a great adventure in the mountains. And if you hike 4 hours with the group to reach the start of the technical section, don't worry about getting stranded - no one's going to abandon you.

    Who do I sue if I get hurt?

    No one. There is no official organization to ensure any level of safety any greater than you have on your own when you venture into the Wilderness. If you are hiking or climbing with others during this event, you do so the same as if you were out with friends. Don't expect anyone to ensure the qualifications of another you are hiking or climbing with. If you have doubts, you should find someone you trust, go alone, or choose not to participate.
    For corrections or comments, please send feedback to: snwbord@hotmail.com