Centennial Challenge

The Centennial Challenge was created to celebrate the Carolina Mountain Club’s 100th anniversary in 2023 while encouraging members to experience both of the club’s core activities: hiking and trail stewardship.

To complete the challenge, participants must hike 50 miles on official CMC hikes and contribute 50 hours of trail maintenance. The challenge is designed so members of all experience and fitness levels can participate.

The Centennial Challenge is an ongoing, rolling two-year challenge. Participants may complete the required hiking miles and trail maintenance hours during any consecutive two-year period.

For information and inquiries about the Centennial Challenge, contact Tom Weaver at CentennialChallenge@carolinamountainclub.org.

Challenge Requirements

Trail Maintenance

Participants must complete a minimum of 50 hours of trail maintenance and record their hours using the trail maintenance log on the CMC website.

All reportable trail maintenance hours count toward the challenge, whether completed as a section maintainer or with one of CMC’s trail crews.

Mileage hiked while performing trail maintenance does not count toward the hiking requirement.

Hiking

Participants must complete a minimum of 50 miles on official Carolina Mountain Club hikes, including:

• Official hikes listed in Let’s Go
• Scout hikes
• Meetup hikes

There is no minimum mileage requirement for an individual hike, provided the combined total is at least 50 miles.

Personal hikes or informal hikes with friends do not qualify, even if other participants are CMC members.

Retroactive Credit

The challenge is retroactive to January 1, 2022.

If you did not keep a detailed hiking log, reasonable estimates are acceptable for hikes completed before June 2022. Include the approximate month or season, the hike, and the estimated mileage.

For example:

• March 2022 — North Slope — 8 miles
• Spring 2022 — Shining Rock Loop — 12 miles

Recognition

Download the Centennial Challenge Log to record your hiking miles and trail maintenance hours. Before submitting your application, verify that you have completed at least 50 hiking miles and 50 trail maintenance hours.

Completed applications are accepted by email only. Scan or photograph your completed challenge log and email it to Tom Weaver at CentennialChallenge@carolinamountainclub.org with the subject line “Centennial Challenge Completion.” Paper applications are not accepted.

Successful participants receive:

• A Centennial Challenge patch
• A certificate of completion
• Recognition at the Carolina Mountain Club Annual Meeting

Awards can also be mailed upon request.

Please allow 4–6 weeks for review and processing. As a volunteer organization, CMC appreciates your patience.

Participants must be current Carolina Mountain Club members. There is no additional charge for the patch and certificate for current members.