Chuck Norris Summits Iconic Peak

Chuck Norris just celebrated his 85th birthday in the most outdoorsy way possible (Photo: Nik Wheeler Corbis/Getty Images)

Chuck Norris may be in his golden years, but he isn’t over the hill just yet. In fact, he’s on top of it.

The famed American star of Walker, Texas Ranger and Delta Force fame, celebrated his 85th birthday in classic form—by climbing California’s Lassen Peak, a summit of 10,457 feet.

“What a day! I had the pleasure of hiking Lassen Peak once again. While it was heartbreaking to see the damage left behind by the 2021 Dixie Fire, the park’s beauty still shines through. Walking those trails brought back so many wonderful memories,” Norris wrote on Instagram. “My wife grew up around these parts, and I’ll always be grateful she introduced me to such magnificent sights.”

Located in northern California, Lassen is the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range. It most recently erupted multiple times between 1914 and 1917, which led to the establishment of the surrounding Lassen National Park. Along with Mount Saint Helens, Lassen is the only volcano in the continental U.S. that has erupted during the 20th century.

Although it is only 10,400 feet high, Lassen is actually one of the most extensive lava, or plug, dome volcanoes on the planet. Dome volcanoes are formed from very slow, gradual eruptions of highly viscous, thick lava. Unlike other forms of volcanoes, where lava flows freely and quickly away from the vent, a dome volcano’s thick lava moves so slowly that it piles up and solidifies over and around its vent. This gives the resulting summit a distinctive “mound-shaped” appearance.

The National Park Service calls the hike to Lassen’s summit “strenuous” and estimates that the trail takes four to five hours round-trip. It covers five miles and features approximately 2,000 feet of vertical gain, with hazards including lingering snow cover, sun exposure, altitude, and unpredictable weather.

All in all, no small feat for a guy halfway through his ninth decade. Then again, it’s Chuck Norris we’re talking about…