60 to 60

Sixty hikes. Seven years. A world of possibilities.

I never imagined that climbing a mountain in Africa would change how I envision the rest of my life—before I've even set foot on it. Somewhere along the trails of Iceland and the Canadian Rockies, I discovered that hiking offers something I've struggled to find in exercise: a reason to keep going and a genuine desire to see what I'm capable of. So I'm challenging myself to 60 hikes before I turn 60—five completed, 55 yet to discover, and perhaps an entirely new way to explore the world.

5 / 60 hikes completed
8.3%
55 adventures still to discover

Next up: Sedona

October 30-31, 2026

The Rules of 60 Before 60

Not every walk counts, and I'm not trying to collect 60 countries or conquer the world's most difficult mountains. The goal is to complete 60 distinct hikes in extraordinary natural landscapes before my 60th birthday, discovering new trails and testing my abilities along the way.

To make the list, a hike must meet a few guidelines:

  1. A natural setting. Mountains, canyons, forests, glaciers, deserts, coastlines, or other distinctive landscapes. Urban walks and sightseeing don't count.

  2. A defined trail or route. There needs to be an identifiable hike, not simply a beautiful place I happened to visit.

  3. Meaningful physical effort. Generally at least three miles, although shorter hikes qualify when the elevation, terrain, or conditions make them challenging.

  4. Something worth remembering. An extraordinary landscape, a personal accomplishment, or an experience that makes the effort worthwhile.

  5. One hike, one credit. Multiple viewpoints along the same trail count as one hike. Separate trails within the same park or country can each qualify.

A few additional ground rules: Guided hikes count. Multiday treks count as one accomplishment, not one per day. Hikes I've already completed count, beginning with Iceland, where this unexpected interest first took hold.

There's no predetermined list of 60, no country quota, and no requirement that each hike be harder than the last. Some will be comfortable day hikes; others, like Kilimanjaro and perhaps someday Everest Base Camp, will require months or years of preparation.

The point isn't to become an elite hiker. It's to keep moving, keep exploring, and discover what I'm capable of along the way.