Montana High School Student to Attempt Expedition From Death Valley to Mount Whitney

MISSOULA, Mont., Dec. 11, 2012 /3BL Media/– Hellgate High Senior Adam Peterman, 17,  of Missoula, Mont. will attempt to bike, hike and scramble from the lowest point in the contiguous United States to the highest in an effort to inspire more youth to get outside.  As part of his senior project, Peterman will travel from Badwater in Death Valley, Calif., to the 14,505-foot summit of Mount Whitney beginning December 20 and attempt to reach California’s highest peak in less than 48 hours entirely under his own steam. 

The goal of the expedition is to raise money and awareness to benefit the nonprofit organization Outdoor Nation, which is dedicated to reconnecting millennials with the outdoors. Outdoor Nation host summits around the country, awards grants for outstanding project ideas, leads outdoor activities and works with youth in an effort to mobilize a movement to get the next generation of outdoor leaders. Peterman’s goal is to raise $5,000 through his Outdoor Nation Crowdrise page.

Active in the outdoors from a young age, whether cross-country running, mountain climbing or biking, Peterman wanted this project to combine his passion for exploration, while also helping other kids his age connect with nature – particularly those who don’t have easy access to front-country recreation.

“Living in a city as accessible to the outdoors as Missoula, Montana makes it easy to forget how fortunate I am to live in a place as so connected to wilderness,” says Peterman, “this is a very rare opportunity to have, and above all other factors in my life, I feel like developing a passion for the outdoors has benefited me the most.  I would like other people my age to be able to experience the same, and the nonprofit Outdoor Nation does just that.”

Hellgate High School cross-country coach and Peterman’s senior project mentor, Mike Foote, will act as the support crew during the expedition. Foote, a runner for The North Face national team, is world renowned ultrarunner who recently finished third overall and first American two years in a row at the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) in August.

“Adam has always set high goals for himself, in both his athletics, as a national caliber cross-country runner, and his academics,” said Foote.  “This expedition to raise awareness and promote getting more youth outdoors is no different. He loves spending time in the mountains, but equally loves sharing that passion with others.”

The attempt will be split into two days, the first day consisting of the 135-mile biking section, made famous by the Badwater Ultra Marathon, and the second spent hiking the 22-mile round trip to Mount Whitney’s summit. Peterman hopes to accomplish this 135-mile ride in 15 hours, where he will finish at the trailhead to Mount Whitney and make ascent to the mountain’s peak.

Donations to Peterman’s expedition to support the next generation of outdoor leaders can be made through Crowdrise for a chance to win gear from The North Face. Follow Peterman’s expedition on Facebook, the expedition official website and The North Face Never Stop Exploring Blog.