Want to get fit while raising money for a good cause? You’ve come to the right place: The Summit Challenge!
What is the Summit Challenge?
The Summit Challenge is a fitness challenge held over the month of March. It is organised by the The Himalayan Trust each year (yes, the same one that Sir Edmund Hillary founded). The challenge is a great way to become more consistent with your exercise and fitness, while also raising money for the health and education of children in Nepal.
The idea is that you track and log the total elevation you gain over March, either walking, running, or biking. You can ‘compete’ either individually or as a team. (I say “compete” since it’s only as competitive as you make it – although there are leaderboards if you really want to compare). You choose you elevation goal at the start of the month, as well as a fundraising goal.
How high do you have to climb?
The four elevation goals are all locations in Nepal associated with Everest and the Himalayas:
- Lukla (2,860m) – where the hike to basecamp starts
- Everest Base Camp (5,364m) – where you start the push to Everest
- Everest (8,848m) – the highest summit in the world
- Triple Crown (25,225m) – Everest, Lhotse & Nuptse
It’s easy to log your progress on the Summit Challenge website, along with photos and posts. You can even link your Strava account so it automatically uploads your elevation progress.
What goal did I choose for the Summit Challenge?
For my first time completing the Summit Challenge in 2024, I chose the lowest elevation: Lukla at 2,860m. If you’re regularly tramping then this goal wouldn’t be too difficult. For example I smashed out close to 1,300m in just one day climbing up to the summit of Mt Luxmore.
But I also had a baby / toddler to look after most of the time, so other than that one big mission I mostly stuck with smaller, but consistent trips up Bluff Hill (280m) and Forest Hill (180m) near Invercargill.
Did I manage to reach my goals?
Yes! Thanks to that massive push up Mt Luxmore I easily completed my Lukla goal – reaching 3,300m by the end of March. I wasn’t able to get to the next goal – Everest Base Camp at 5,364m but maybe next year!
I also managed to meet my fundraising goal, raising $456 for the Himalayan Trust which will go towards improving health and education access for Nepalese children. Thank you so much to everyone who donated!
Would I recommend the Summit Challenge?
Also yes! I struggle with staying consistent with my exercise (as I talk about in my How to get fit for tramping article), so the Summit Challenge really made me get out and tackle some hills every single week.
As a result I definitely noticed my fitness increasing as March flew by. Plus it was fun! I’d convinced a friend to join the challenge with me, so Simone and I climbed hills together, sometimes accompanied by my toddler chatting away on my back.
The regular exercise and outside time was great for my mental and physical health. I have plans for a multi-day tramp in April, and thanks to the Summit Challenge I’m feeling much more confident about my fitness heading in to it! I’d highly recommend the Summit Challenge for anyone wanting to get more consistent with their exercise and needs that extra motivation. Or for anyone with a big tramp planned for April who needs to get fit!
I plan to complete the Summit Challenge again in 2025, but perhaps with a slightly more ambitious goal. Let me know if you’ll join me!
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE ME A COMMENT OR MESSAGE ME OVER ON MY INSTAGRAM.
I love hearing from readers and helping them plan their own adventures!
It’s such a great cause and thank you for telling me about it. I really enjoyed it and the consistency of logging the elevations gains!
Aiming for Base Camp next year!
Thanks so much for doing it with me! So nice having some company and extra motivation. Here’s to base camp 2025!