Texan Aims to Summit All 50 States in Just 17 Days

Imagine racing against the clock to stand atop 50 different mountains across America in less than three weeks, from parking lots to peaks that touch the clouds.

Branndon Bargo, a triathlete and ultramarathon runner from Georgetown, Texas, is doing exactly that. Starting June 9th, he'll attempt to reach the highest point in all 50 states in approximately 17 days, aiming to set a new world record.

The challenge showcases America's wild geographic diversity. Alaska's Denali towers at over 20,000 feet, requiring weeks of climbing for most adventurers. Meanwhile, Florida's highest point, Britton Hill, sits at a modest 350 feet elevation, essentially a parking lot.

Bargo isn't new to extreme adventures. As host of the PBS show "The Highpointers" and assistant director of outdoor adventure at Southwestern University, he's spent years exploring remote peaks across the country. What started as a fascination with finding the highest point wherever he traveled evolved into a full-blown passion.

The logistics might be harder than the climbs themselves. Bargo will spend his only planned rest day traveling from Alaska to Hawaii, then continue racing through back-to-back summits, often conquering multiple peaks in a single day. Missing a flight or hitting bad weather could derail everything.

Under official rules, the clock starts when he begins descending Denali. He's already climbed that mountain once, taking 20 days for the round trip. This time, he'll need to move much faster.

Why This Inspires

Bargo's record attempt reveals something wonderful about outdoor adventure. It's not just for elite athletes tackling dangerous peaks. The highpointers community welcomes people of all ages and abilities because some state summits require serious mountaineering skills while others offer drive-up access.

Through his work at Southwestern University, Bargo shares this inclusive vision of adventure. He's taken students ice climbing in Colorado, to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and even to Africa's highest peak, Kilimanjaro. His goal? Help young people develop grit and perseverance while learning to look up from their phones and embrace the beauty around them.

The timing feels perfect. Right now, people need reminders that hard things are possible and that nature offers countless opportunities to challenge ourselves, whether that means climbing a 20,000-foot mountain or simply visiting your own state's highest point.

Starting June 9th, anyone can follow Bargo's journey as he races across America, proving that adventure is waiting everywhere.