Growing up in Wisconsin, I didn't necessarily have access to mountains or large tracts of wilderness, but I didn't let that stop me from trying to find adventure. A friend and I would often piece together random experiences to create a challenging trips on rivers and roads and small patches of forest.

Fast forward thirty years. I am still that same kid with that same love of the outdoors. For the past 20 years, however, I have been more focused on these huge expeditions. Epic journeys to the most remote and frozen corners of the planet: the Arctic, Antarctic and Himalayas. And while the scale of many of my adventures has changed (and the average temperature dropped significantly), that idea of creating an adventure out of anything has stuck with me.

Which is why I am currently am currently planning the ColoradATHON, a human-powered adventure across the state of Colorado - from the eastern border to the western border. Our goal is to bike, hike and pack raft roughly 600 miles across Colorado and we have 11 days to do it.

You see, I believe that adventure is everywhere and you don't have to climb Mt. Everest to have unique and compelling experience. Sometimes, putting some completely arbitrary parameters on an activity can make it different, fun and original. Just like when I would canoe and portage down main street of my small home town. Or bike to a nearby forest, set up camp and cook a meal over a fire. There are thousands of activities that, once strung together, create challenge and uncertainty.

I also have a pretty simple philosophy in life: have fun and do good. I believe that it is important to help where and when I can. That is why I work with a variety of non profit organizations during my adventures and expeditions. I also feel that adventure has given me a lot over the years. Not just as a career, but also as a person. I've learned about so much about myself and others, team work, kindness, perseverance and more.

That's why I am also using the ColoradATHON to give the gift of adventure to others. Help me raise $10,000 in 11 days for Big City Mountaineers. BCM helps under-resourced youth realize their potential through transformative wilderness mentoring experiences. The curriculum improves self-esteem, responsibility, decision-making abilities and communication skills in hundreds of youth annually. BCM believes the best way to change a young person's perspective is to give them an entirely new one!

Please help this incredible organization by donating here: https://www.classy.org/campaign/coloradathon/c148619

On Sunday, October 15, 2017 former pro cyclist and filmmaker Ben Duke, endurance athlete and humanitarian Rebecca Boozan and I will start our journey on the high plains of eastern Colorado. Our route will span some of Coloradoâ??s most iconic and revered wilderness. We hope that you will follow along and be inspired to donate to a great cause. And who knows, maybe our small three-person, 11-day expedition will plant the seeds for your own unique journey. After all, ADVENTURE IS EVERYWHERE! And a lot can happen in a short amount of time, outdoors.

image: ColoradATHON route