Summer 2018
This project, back on US soil, was an open invitation to everyone, to come out and participate under one common goal and collectively set a world record together.
On July 19, 2018, Colin completed the 50 high points challenge faster than anyone before, setting the new record in 21 days, 9 hours and 48 minutes.
Colin traveled nearly 13K miles across the country – through state parks, national parks and forests. It was a great American road trip that spanned from the wilderness of Alaska to the highest peak of the Rocky Mountains to the tropical volcanoes of Hawaii. Colin walked, ran, hiked and climbed over 300 trail miles to set the record.
Colin was in constant motion from high point to high point, racing the world record clock, whether climbing or in transit. Sleep deprivation mixed with heavy physical exertion pushed his limits.
“The mountains are calling and I must go.”
live tracking
The entire 50HP journey was tracked with GPS, monitoring Colin's every step. Live Tracking was available through the duration of the 21 day adventure from June 27 - July 19, 2018.
Completed high Points
🚩 Denali, AL – 6/27/18
🚩 Mauna Kea, HI – 6/29/18
🚩 Wheeler Peak, NM – 6/30/18
🚩 Black Mesa, OK – 6/30/18
🚩 Britton Hill, FL – 7/1/18
🚩 Cheaha Mountain, AL – 7/1/18
🚩 Campbell Hill, MS – 7/1/18
🚩 Taum Sauk Mountain, MO – 7/1/18
🚩 Mt. Magazine, AR – 7/1/18
🚩 Driskill Mountain, LA – 7/1,
🚩 Brasstown Bald, GA – 7/2/18
🚩 Sassafras Mountain, SC – 7/2/18
🚩 Clingmans Dome, TN – 7/2/18
🚩 Mt. Mitchell, NC – 7/3/18
🚩 Mt. Rogers, VA – 7/3/18
🚩 Black Mountain, KY – 7/3/18
🚩 Hoosier Hill, IN – 7/3/18
🚩 Campbell Hill, OH – 7/3/18
🚩 Spruce Knob, WV – 7/4/18
🚩 Backbone Mountain, MD – 7/4/18
🚩 Mount Davis, PA – 7/4/18
🚩 Ebright Azimuth, DE – 7/4/18
🚩 High Point, NJ – 7/5/18
🚩 Jerimoth Hill, RI – 7/5/18
🚩 Mt. Frissell, CT – 7/5/18
🚩 Mt. Greylock, MA – 7/5/18
🚩 Mt. Marcy, NY – 7/5/18
🚩 Mt. Mansfield, VT – 7/6/18
🚩 Mt. Washington, NH – 7/6/18
🚩 Mt. Katahdin, ME – 7/7/18
🚩 Eagle Mountain, MN – 7/7/18
🚩 Mt. Arvon, MI – 7/7/18
🚩 Timms Hill, WI – 7/8/18
🚩 Hawkeye Point, IA – 7/8/18
🚩 Charles Mound, IL – 7/8/18
🚩 White Butte, ND – 7/8/18
🚩 Black Elk Peak, SD – 7/9/18
🚩 Guadalupe Peak, TX – 7/9/18
🚩 Boundary Peak, NV – 7/10/18
🚩 Humphrey's Peak, AZ – 7/11/18
🚩 Panorama Point, NE – 7/11/18
🚩 Mt Sunflower, KS – 7/11/18
🚩 Mt. Elbert, CO – 7/12/18
🚩 Mt. Whitney, CA – 7/13/18
🚩 Kings Peak, UT – 7/14/18
🚩 Gannett Peak, WY – 7/15/18
🚩 Borah Peak, ID – 7/16/18
🚩 Granite Peak, MT – 7/17/18
🚩 Mt. Rainier, WA – 7/18/18
🚩 Mt. Hood, OR – 7/19/18
The History
The 50-state high points challenge dates back to 1966. Only 273 people had summited all 50 American high points as of summer 2018. For many, this achievement takes a lifetime.
An Invitation
Colin was on a mission to activate people across the country. This project was an open invitation to everyone to be a part of history, to come out and participate. Colin invited anyone interested to join him, to meet at the trailhrad, walk a mile or climb the whole mountain with him. We called this the Forrest Gump effect!
How Did It Work?
Colin reached the summit of Denali, Alaska’s high point and North American’s highest mountain, on June 27, 2018 and the record started moving quickly. The logistics were mapped out for a rapid push, but there were plenty of obstacles along the way.
A Fast Start
After making his way to the Eastern seaboard - following the completion of Alaska, Hawaii, New Mexico and Oklahoma’s high points - Colin joined up with a support team and the RV, kicking off a whirlwind road trip to cover 38 high points in just over eight days. To shave off transportation time, a plane was utilized to transition to the midwest high points.
Lightning Strike
On arrival to Mt. Whitney, California's high point and the tallest mountain in the lower 48, the trailhead was closed due to a lightning strike that caused an uncontainable forest fire. As such Colin was unable to climb Mt. Whitney with his scheduled July 11th permit. The situation was monitored closely and fortunately, once the Georges fire was 30% contained, Whitney Portal reopened and permit holders were allowed entry within the week.
Fire Danger
Similarly, with the lack of rain in Arizona, Humphrey's Peak was closed due to fire danger in the area. The formal notice was given that the park would open only once the monsoon rains arrived. We continually checked the weather as we inched closer to arriving at Colin’s scheduled climb in Arizona. Humphrey's Peak was eventually opened allowing Colin to summit.
Western Ultramarathon
With 42 high points completed in 15 days, Colin still had many of the toughest peaks remaining. Over the course of the next seven days Colin covered what he dubbed the “Western Ultramarathon”, completing over 140 trail miles on peaks no less than 11,000 feet in elevation including: Mt. Elbert in Colorado, Mt. Whitney in California, Kings Peak in Utah, Gannett Peak in Wyoming, Borah Peak in Idaho, Granite Peak in Montana, and Mt. Rainier in Washington consecutively.
Success
After an incredible final push, Colin crossed the border into his home state of Oregon en route to his final high point, Mt. Hood. He climbed through the night and reached the summit at dawn on July 19, 2018 to set the new world record for the 50 High Points Challenge at 21 days, 9 hours, and 48 minutes.
Partners
