Last year, I organized a DIY version of the annual PHX 7 Summit Challenge (click here to read last year’s blog post). At the end of the event last year, everyone said that they wanted to do it again. So, I organized the 2nd annual version and we completed it yesterday.

Based on the event last year, I knew I wanted to change a few things. The most important one is to trim down the transition time between hikes. In my last email to the group the night before the event, I requested that we all do our best to minimize the time between hikes by eating/drinking in the drive to the (next) trailhead and by using the bathroom as soon as you get to the trailhead (or right after finishing whatever hike we completed). The second most important thing I wanted to ensure is GOOD FOOD. Last year, we ended with the longest, hardest hike in the dark….and we were all ravenous….and there weren’t any great food options. Although we ended up at Five Guys last year (and enjoyed the fries there immensely), it just didn’t scream “celebration dinner!” So, I re-ordered the hike order to begin with the longest, hardest hike and end with a hike close to a lot of “celebratory” type places, i.e. guaranteed (veggie) burgers and fries.

I’m very pleased to report that we not only completed all 7 hikes, we finished much faster than last year (about 1.5 hours faster) and enjoyed a great celebratory dinner with really yummy burgers and fries! #goteam #eyesonthefries

Event recap

Order of hikes: Holbert Trail (South Mountain); Apache Vista and Ridgeback Overlook; Deem Hill; Lookout Mountain; Shaw Butte; Dreamy Draw.

Stats: according to my Garmin, we hiked a cumulative 23.4 miles with 4,550 ft gain. We started shortly after 6:30am and finished at 6:30pm, enjoying a beautiful sunrise and sunset. Eight hikers started the day at Holbert Trail and 5 hikers ended the day at Dreamy Draw. However, only 3 hikers completed all 7 hikes. My reason for starting a little later this year is because we had a slightly smaller group.

Dinner: thanks to SanTan Brewing Company (north Phoenix location) for being open (haha) and for having some fantastic fries and black bean burgers. 🙂

Highlights of the day included a gorgeous sunrise and sunset, beautiful cloud formations, cool temperature, great company, no injuries, and did I mention those awesome fries?

Things to consider for next year’s event: include some different hikes, admission fee/donation to charity (this is to lock down commitment), and an event t-shirt.

Stay tuned for more details. Until then, merry Christmas and Happy 2020!

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