Everest in February ❄️ Challenge 2026

Let's do a worthy challenge in February to get us in shape for spring hiking.

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Please Note: This event posting is not an actual event. It is a placeholder for the challenge. This challenge is one month long. Do not show up at city hall on the 28th!
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The challenge is to ascend the elevation equivalent of Mt Everest (8848m) in the month of February! However, the challenge will continue to log all qualifying activities until February 28th, 2026. So how much can you actually do? Can you do two Everests? Let’s see!

The challenge starts at midnight on February 1st, 2026 and runs to February 28th, 2026 at midnight.

You can get your elevation on ANY HILL in ANY COUNTRY and in ANY INCREMENT. You can Hike, Run, Ski, and Snowshoe your way to the summit. But you must get up on your own power - no mechanical/electrical lift assistance. Treadmill and step machine activities are allowed.

To join this CHALLENGE, RSVP to this event posting and go on the waitlist. Close to the challenge start date (February 1st, 2026, I will message you with instructions on how to join the challenge on "Challenge Hound.” If you don’t have an account, you’ll have to create one. But don’t do that until I provide further instructions. I am covering the registration costs for participants. You’ll have until February 8th @ 11:00 pm to sign up. All qualifying activities from February 1st onward will backfill if you sign up after February 1st and sync one of the supported fitness apps.
At Challenge Hound (CH), you can enter your activities manually or sync your fitness app to the platform and have your activities synced automatically. Supported apps are Garmin, Strava, Under Armour, Fitbit, Coros, and Apple Health (other fitness apps can be supported by linking them to Apple Health and then syncing Apple Health to CH).
Please monitor and deleted any duplicated activities on Challenge Hound. This can happen when using multiple recording devices.

REQUIRED GEAR & SUPPLIES:

Follow the requirements of any organized event you join.

If you are ascending privately, use good judgment and remain safe at all times.

Here are some ideas for gear, supplies, and, procedures to use:

· Trail running shoes or boots
· Microspikes, crampons, or studded shoes
· Snowshoes or skis
· Avi gear if in avi zones - knowledge on how to use it
· Poles and/or Ice axe
· Bear spray
· Adequate water (very warm water)
· Adequate energy source (food, gels, etc)
· Hot tea
· Appropriate clothing:
(eg. Layers, warm gloves, hand/toe warmers, balaclava, gaiters, dry clothes for after)
· Lamp (fully charged)
· Survival blanket/wrap/shelter
· Personal first aid/blister kit
· Toilet kit
· Appropriate pack to carry your stuff
· Any medications you require
· Navigation device
· GPS watch/device to log your trip
· SOS device with active subscription
· Phone/camera to capture your ascent
· Sunglasses/goggles
· File trip plan with someone
· Travel in groups in remote areas

WAIVER:
There is no waiver to sign for this challenge as this is not an organized event. You will be required to sign waivers for any organized events you join in pursuit of this challenge. Solo efforts are discouraged and done at your own risk.