SGPT Peak Week 2026 takes you to the mountains of Colorado for a week of training, climbing, recovery, sunshine, altitude, and controlled discomfort.
We are in search of high-altitude sunshine, hard physical training, hiking, hot/cold exposure, recovery, and time away from the normal distractions of everyday life.
Photo: La Plata Peak (14,334′) on 8-12-2025 with Laurence McCullough, Graham Dessert, Joe Jenkins and George Shepherd.
This is more than a hiking trip.
This is a mission to find your best self.
WHO THIS IS FOR
Athletes looking for a serious challenge
Veterans seeking purpose and tribe
GORUCK and endurance athletes
Men and women who want to level up mentally and physically
Team players willing to suffer together
Athletes ready to train before arrival
Joe Jenkins scouting out the start of the hike at Mount Massive trailhead August 12, 2024.
WHO THIS IS NOT FOR
People looking for comfort
Quitters
Lone wolves
Athletes unwilling to prepare
Anyone expecting luxury accommodations
MINIMUM STANDARDS
Before arriving at Peak Week, athletes should be capable of:
Completing the Manitou Incline (or equivalent) in 60 minutes
Ruck hiking 6 miles with a 25 lb. pack in 3 hours
Hiking steep mountain terrain for 10 plus hours a day
Carrying personal gear at altitude
Maintaining a positive team-first attitude under stress
Photo: George Shepherd, Sage Shepherd on a rest day near Mt. Massive, August 2024.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Mountain movement under fatigue
Mental toughness under pressure
Team leadership and accountability
Altitude acclimatization strategies
Recovery and hydration protocols
How to operate as a team in difficult conditions
Confidence through adversity
ARE YOU READY?
Most people talk about doing hard things.
Very few actually commit.
Photo: Mt. Sherman August 2024. Brad McLeod, Sage Shepherd, George Shepherd, Jay Shepherd.
This is your opportunity to step away from comfort, reconnect with purpose, and test yourself alongside other motivated athletes who refuse to settle for average.
The mountain is waiting.
Applications for SGPT Peak Week 2026 are now open.
Spots are limited. Open to Veterans and non-Veteran athletes.
DETAILS:
Fly into Denver, Colorado, and head to the Manitou incline trail to check your gear and acclimate to the altitude. Over the course of the mission, you’ll climb progressively higher peaks, leading to multiple 14,000-foot summits.
An updated itinerary will be provided to all team members.
Photo Mt Massive August 2024.
ITINERARY
Sat. Aug 1: Arrive in Denver area
Sunday Aug 2: Hike Red Rocks Morrison
Monday Aug. 3 Rest day travel to Crested Butte area
Tues Aug 4: Crested Butte hike
Wed. Aug 5: Mount Crested Butte (12,162’/2 miles/1248′ rise)
Thursday Aug 8 Crested Butte rest
Fri. Aug 9: Arrive Denver area – transit to base camp* near Manitou incline
Sat. Aug 10: Shake out hike Manitou Incline @ 0900 AM – travel to Buena Vista area
Sun. Aug 11: Rest day, bouldering, hiking, stream plunge
Mon. Aug 12: Mt Yale (14,193 ft) Class 2 route/9.2 miles /4,410 ft rise
Tues. Aug 12: Rest day, bouldering, hiking, stream plunge
Wed. Aug 13: Mt Oxford/Belford (14,197’) Class 2 route/10.8 miles/5,000 ft rise
Thurs. Aug 14: Rest day, icy stream bath, stretching, or nap
Fri. Aug 15: Mt Princeton (14,197 ft) Class 2 route/12.6 miles/5,660′ rise
Sat. Aug 16: Rest + recovery at local hot springs, icy stream plunge and stretch
Sun. Aug 17: Mission accomplished – fly home
*Base camp = Free camping in USFS San Isabel national forest with a tent/tarp or you can get a room at a local hotel in Buena Vista if you like.
Photo: Gene Smithson, Brad McLeod Grays Peak, Colorado August 2025.
GEAR LIST
Boots (broken in)
Socks w/extra pairs
Long sleeve poly pro top
Rain jacket (bright color) wind breaker with hood
Wind pants or poly pro long johns
Backpack for day hikes
Hydration bladder w/electrolytes
Water filter or iodine tablets
All athletes on the team will receive complimentary BUBS collagen, electrolyte care package.
Headlamp with extra batteries
Pen light with extra batteries
Cell phone with recharging cable
Battery cache w/extra cables
Emergency space blanket
Compass with signaling mirror
Sunglasses
Photo: Descent from Mount Massive with George Shepherd ahead, August 2024.
Lightweight hat for sun
Wool or poly-pro watch cap
Sunscreen/Bodyglide
Bandanna or buff
Lighter in ziploc bag
Personal medical kit
Paper map of route
Basecamp Gear List
We will set up base camp in the San Isabel National Forest (west of Clear Lake) near the climbing peaks. No permit is needed in this area.
Sleeping bag
Thermal pad
Tarp or small tent
Extra set of clothes
Sneakers / sandals
Interested? Contact brad@sealgrinderpt.com
About the Author:
Are you looking to achieve big goals? Do you have a big event on the horizon and you want to finish the drill?
Wanting to complete a Spartan race, GORUCK, Tough Mudder or climb a big mountain?
Get individual coaching from former Navy SEAL Coach Brad McLeod. Check out SGPT coaching here:
SGPT is a proud sponsor of the Navy SEAL Foundation, the UDT/SEAL Museum Charity and Honor Flight San Diego
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