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← 2025 Year in Review

5 Million Vertical Feet Gained Over 5 Years

Posted on January 15, 2026February 10, 2026 by Backcountry Fever

Yeah, you read that right — 5,000,000 vertical feet.  That’s a million feet of vert every year for five straight years.  Who does that?  Well… these two average hikers from Utah have been stacking numbers like this since 2021 — quietly, but well beyond “average”.  The numbers speak for themselves.

another million, fifth year in a row

Multi-Millioners

Here’s a summary of their annual totals:

YEAR HIKES TIME DISTANCE ELEVATION GAIN DATE COMPLETED
2021* 335 974 h 2,522 mi 1,000,673 ft December 4
2022 369 978 h 2,690 mi 1,000,046 ft December 18
2023 405 864 h 2.320 mi 1,000,472 ft December 21
2024 334 902 h 2,515 mi 1,004,295 ft December 28
2025 400 901 h 2,433 mi 1,001,514 ft December 25
Annual Avg 369 924 h 2,496 mi 1,001,400 ft

Broken down by month, those numbers look like this:

YEAR HIKES/MONTH TIME/MONTH DISTANCE/MONTH GAIN/MONTH
2021* 30 89 h 229 mi 90,970 ft
2022 31 81 h 224 mi 83,337 ft
2023 34 72 h 193 mi 83,373 ft
2024 28 75 h 210 mi 83,691 ft
2025 33 75 h 203 mi 83,460 ft
Monthly Avg 31 78 h 212 mi 84,966 ft

*finished one month early; averages are calculated over 11 months.

Think about that: we’re talking about an average of 50 miles and 20,000 feet of gain every single week.

It’s hard to wrap my head around that level of commitment.  What they’re doing every month is roughly what I log in a year, all while holding down full-time jobs.  That’s one serious fitness program.

Is there a Guinness World Record for such a feat?  It certainly feels worthy.

congrats on another million

Annual Highlights

I asked them to highlight their biggest achievements and challenges over the years.

YEAR ACHIEVEMENTS CHALLENGES
2021
  • 52 west Grandeur summits
  • 4 Grandeur Yo-Yo’s (double summit)
  • 1 Grandeur Yo-Yo-Yo (triple)
  • 1 Grand Canyon R2R2R
  • 3 Squaw Peak summits (all in 1 day)
  • Andee suffered a broken rib for a month, a sprained ankle for another month, and a sinus infection the day of her big finish.
  • Greg wasn’t doing this goal with Andee at first, but logging 147,000 ft in November got him caught up and fully committed!
2022
  • 4 ultra marathons
  • 18 slot canyon trips
  • 8 west Grandeur summits
  • 9 hikes to Lake Blanche
  • 9 times to Mt. Olympus saddle
  • 12 Mt. Olympus summits
  • Andee struggled with a sprained ankle from January through March, then again with a sprained knee for October and November.  While these challenges didn’t stop her, they did slow her down a bit.  Instead of doing 20,000 feet of vertical per week, she and Greg were closer to 10-15k each week during those months.
2023
  • 15 slot canyon trips
  • 24 west Grandeur summits
  • 17 hikes to Lake Blanche
  • 16 times to Mt. Olympus saddle
  • 1 Mt. Olympus summit
  • The 2022-23 winter brought an unprecedented 903 inches of snow to Alta Ski Area, the highest total ever recorded in Utah.  Andee told me, “That record snow year really wore us out.”
2024
  • 1 Grand Canyon R2R2R
  • 31 slot canyon trips
  • 11 west Grandeur summits
  • 9 hikes to Lake Blanche
  • 31 times to Mt. Olympus saddle
  • 20 Mt. Olympus summits
  • Andee got a new job and had to adjust
2025
  • Tour du Mont Blanc
  • Teton Crest Trail
  • 22 slot canyon trips
  • 4 west Grandeur summits
  • 10 hikes to Lake Blanche
  • 17 times to Mt. Olympus saddle
  • 36 Mt. Olympus summits
  • Tour du Mont Blanc was 120 miles and 42,000 ft of gain, completed in 6 days
  • Greg and Andee picked up climbing… 😂 and joined the Wasatch Mountain Club on 22 of their outings 🥳

In talking with Andee about what comes next, they took the week off after Christmas, then jumped right into the new year on a local favorite—Mount Olympus—with plans to log another million in 2026.

going for another million feet in 2026

jan 2

jan 3

jan 4

Joining in on the fun

I get to catch a hike with this dynamic duo every now and again.  I was with them when they logged their first million in 2021, and several other times since.  The best part about hiking with Greg and Andee is how easy-going and accommodating they can be.  Even with their high level of conditioning and fitness, they’ve never made me feel like I was holding them back.  Still, keeping their pace is always a challenge.

Want to track their progress throughout the year?  Follow Greg and Andee’s updates here on Strava!

← 2025 Year in Review

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On this day last year—February 18—my team and I reached the summit of Aconcagua, the tallest peak in Argentina and the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere at 22,837 feet.

I’ve enjoyed looking back on that expedition by rereading my day-by-day trip report from our climb.

👉 Link in bio: an 18-part guide covering the entire climb, plus pre-trip planning tips and post-expedition things to see and do around Mendoza.

Whether this is your first high-altitude objective or you’re adding Aconcagua to your mountaineering résumé, the guide will help you see why I chose the 360° Traverse, how to plan for your expedition, and what to expect each day on the mountain.

#aconcagua #aconcagua360 #aconcaguaexpedition #highaltitudemountaineering #mountaineering

33 3
Open post by backcountryfever with ID 18055701743428917
On this day last year—February 18—my team and I reached the summit of Aconcagua, the tallest peak in Argentina and the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere at 22,837 feet.

I’ve enjoyed looking back on that expedition by rereading my day-by-day trip report from our climb.

👉 Link in bio: an 18-part guide covering the entire climb, plus pre-trip planning tips and post-expedition things to see and do around Mendoza.

Whether this is your first high-altitude objective or you’re adding Aconcagua to your mountaineering résumé, the guide will help you see why I chose the 360° Traverse, how to plan for your expedition, and what to expect each day on the mountain.

#aconcagua #aconcagua360 #aconcaguaexpedition #highaltitudemountaineering #mountaineering

Winter is my favorite season, and cold weather camping is one of my favorite winter activities.

#coldweathercamping #wintercamping #tenting #lovewinter #lovecamping

19 0
Open post by backcountryfever with ID 18088708565160118
Winter is my favorite season, and cold weather camping is one of my favorite winter activities.

#coldweathercamping #wintercamping #tenting #lovewinter #lovecamping

Scoping out snow levels for my annual winter campout this weekend. Yep, there`s enough to still make it fun!

#wintercamping #coldweathercamping #winterhike #sunset #weekendwarrior

19 2
Open post by backcountryfever with ID 18093303244798082
Scoping out snow levels for my annual winter campout this weekend.  Yep, there's enough to still make it fun!

#wintercamping #coldweathercamping #winterhike #sunset #weekendwarrior

Speaking of my multi-millioner friends (see link in the bio), I got to hike with them last weekend.

I had my mind set on doing a Grandeur Peak Yo-Yo for my first hike of the year. Thankfully, @gwhatco and @andeethatch were OK with slowing down for the day.

Not sure what I was thinking though, my thighs were so sore for the next two days. Hockey sure doesn`t use those same muscles like I thought it did.

Recovery definitely called for a few infrared sauna sessions afterwards!

#grandeurpeak #yoyo #doublesummit #legday #goatworthy

35 0
Open post by backcountryfever with ID 18093050872988089
Speaking of my multi-millioner friends (see link in the bio), I got to hike with them last weekend.

I had my mind set on doing a Grandeur Peak Yo-Yo for my first hike of the year. Thankfully, @gwhatco and @andeethatch were OK with slowing down for the day.

Not sure what I was thinking though, my thighs were so sore for the next two days. Hockey sure doesn't use those same muscles like I thought it did. 

Recovery definitely called for a few infrared sauna sessions afterwards!

#grandeurpeak #yoyo #doublesummit #legday #goatworthy

Yeah, you read that right — 5,000,000 vertical feet. That’s a million feet of vert every year for five straight years. Who does that? Well… these two average hikers from Utah have been stacking numbers like this since 2021 — quietly, but well beyond “average”.

The numbers speak for themselves. Get a summary and breakdown by month from the link in the bio ☝️

Think about that: we’re talking about an average of 50 miles and 20,000 feet of gain every single week.

It’s hard to wrap my head around that level of commitment. What they’re doing every month is roughly what I log in a year, all while holding down full-time jobs. That’s one serious fitness program.

In talking with Andee about what comes next, they took the week off after Christmas, then jumped right into the new year on a local favorite—Mount Olympus—with plans to log another million in 2026.

#goatworthy #biggoals #millionverticalfeet #hikerlife #hikemoreworryless

24 5
Open post by backcountryfever with ID 17966367422867268
Yeah, you read that right — 5,000,000 vertical feet.  That’s a million feet of vert every year for five straight years.  Who does that?  Well… these two average hikers from Utah have been stacking numbers like this since 2021 — quietly, but well beyond “average”. 

The numbers speak for themselves.  Get a summary and breakdown by month from the link in the bio ☝️

Think about that: we’re talking about an average of 50 miles and 20,000 feet of gain every single week.

It’s hard to wrap my head around that level of commitment.  What they’re doing every month is roughly what I log in a year, all while holding down full-time jobs.  That’s one serious fitness program.

In talking with Andee about what comes next, they took the week off after Christmas, then jumped right into the new year on a local favorite—Mount Olympus—with plans to log another million in 2026.

#goatworthy #biggoals #millionverticalfeet #hikerlife #hikemoreworryless

With the encouragement from my youngest daughter, I bought a small fleet of kid carriers to get these youngsters started early! We`ve enjoyed a few days out in this unseasonably warm November, but still need to get them ALL out together. Fun times ahead for sure!!

#osprey #ospreypacks #hikingwithkids #familyfun #getemstartedearly

21 1
Open post by backcountryfever with ID 18064990223634047
With the encouragement from my youngest daughter, I bought a small fleet of kid carriers to get these youngsters started early!  We've enjoyed a few days out in this unseasonably warm November, but still need to get them ALL out together.  Fun times ahead for sure!!

#osprey #ospreypacks #hikingwithkids #familyfun #getemstartedearly

My first time up Mt. Ogden unintentionally turned into a full-on-loop-de-doo: up Beus, down Malan`s.

Beus Canyon was pretty boring above treeline, so I decided not to head back the way I came. After tagging the summit, I figured Malan`s would be way more interesting — and it sure was!

Malan`s Basin is surprisingly sketch up high, through a steep and narrow gully, then hard to follow in the middle where an already faint trail disappeared under leaves. I lost the trail a few times and had to backtrack a bit to find my way.

Finally, the Bonneville Shoreline Trail came in clutch once again, making this a nice long loop-de-doo.

Mt. Ogden Loop-de-doo mileage breakdown 👇
- Beus Canyon trailhead to summit, 6 miles
- Mt. Ogden to Malan`s Peak, 3 miles
- Malan`s Peak to Bonneville Shoreline Trail, 3 miles
- BST across and back to Beus trailhead, 3 miles

For a total of 15 miles and 5,300 feet of elevation gain.

#mtogden #mountogden #ogdenpeak #beuscanyon #beuscanyontrail #malansbasin #malanspeak #bonnevilleshorelinetrail #bonnevilleshoreline #bst #loophike #loopdedoo #wasatchfront #hikeogden #fallhike #fallhikingfallhiking

25 0
Open post by backcountryfever with ID 17906240730272550
My first time up Mt. Ogden unintentionally turned into a full-on-loop-de-doo: up Beus, down Malan's. 

Beus Canyon was pretty boring above treeline, so I decided not to head back the way I came. After tagging the summit, I figured Malan's would be way more interesting — and it sure was!

Malan's Basin is surprisingly sketch up high, through a steep and narrow gully, then hard to follow in the middle where an already faint trail disappeared under leaves.  I lost the trail a few times and had to backtrack a bit to find my way.

Finally, the Bonneville Shoreline Trail came in clutch once again, making this a nice long loop-de-doo.

Mt. Ogden Loop-de-doo mileage breakdown 👇
- Beus Canyon trailhead to summit, 6 miles
- Mt. Ogden to Malan's Peak, 3 miles
- Malan's Peak to Bonneville Shoreline Trail, 3 miles
- BST across and back to Beus trailhead, 3 miles

For a total of 15 miles and 5,300 feet of elevation gain.

#mtogden #mountogden #ogdenpeak #beuscanyon #beuscanyontrail #malansbasin #malanspeak #bonnevilleshorelinetrail #bonnevilleshoreline #bst #loophike #loopdedoo #wasatchfront #hikeogden #fallhike #fallhikingfallhiking

Awesome views from the top of Y Mountain. Looking north into Rock Canyon, where I started, and across towards the old Squaw Peak, Cascade Mountain, and Mount Timpanogos further off in the distance.

Pretty fun loop hike 👇

- Up 1.8 miles from the Rock Canyon trailhead
- Up 1.8 miles on First Right Fork to Slide Canyon
- Down Slide Canyon Trail .5 miles to Y Mountain Trail
- Up 1 mile to Y Mountain West Peak
- Down .25 and over .25 miles to Y Mountain East Peak
- Down 1 mile back to Slide Canyon Trail
- Down 1.5 miles to Y Trail (top of the BYU Y)
- Down 1 mile to the Y Trail trailhead
- Across 1.75 miles on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail

For a total of 10.75 miles with 4,137 feet of elevation gain.

#ymountain #rockcanyon #rockcanyontrail #firstrightfork #slidecanyon #ytrail #ytrailhead #bst #bonnevilleshorelinetrail #bonnevilleshoreline #connector #loophike #wasatchfront #hikethewasatch #wasatchmountains #wasatch #hike #hikemore

33 1
Open post by backcountryfever with ID 17900152413305912
Awesome views from the top of Y Mountain.  Looking north into Rock Canyon, where I started, and across towards the old Squaw Peak, Cascade Mountain, and Mount Timpanogos further off in the distance. 

Pretty fun loop hike 👇

- Up 1.8 miles from the Rock Canyon trailhead
- Up 1.8 miles on First Right Fork to Slide Canyon
- Down Slide Canyon Trail .5 miles to Y Mountain Trail
- Up 1 mile to Y Mountain West Peak 
- Down .25 and over .25 miles to Y Mountain East Peak
- Down 1 mile back to Slide Canyon Trail
- Down 1.5 miles to Y Trail (top of the BYU Y)
- Down 1 mile to the Y Trail trailhead
- Across 1.75 miles on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail

For a total of 10.75 miles with 4,137 feet of elevation gain.

#ymountain #rockcanyon #rockcanyontrail #firstrightfork #slidecanyon #ytrail #ytrailhead #bst #bonnevilleshorelinetrail #bonnevilleshoreline #connector #loophike #wasatchfront #hikethewasatch #wasatchmountains #wasatch #hike #hikemore

As the seasons change, each quiet mile through these trees feels like an invitation to let go of what was and move toward all that`s yet to come...

#seasonschange #lettinggo #movingon #pressingforward #lookingahead #newbeginnings #natureishealing #healingenergy #goodvibes #autumnvibes #autumnmountains #hiking #hikerlife #mountainlife #mountains

28 0
Open post by backcountryfever with ID 17902202193279047
As the seasons change, each quiet mile through these trees feels like an invitation to let go of what was and move toward all that's yet to come...

#seasonschange #lettinggo #movingon #pressingforward #lookingahead #newbeginnings #natureishealing #healingenergy #goodvibes #autumnvibes #autumnmountains #hiking #hikerlife #mountainlife #mountains
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