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In the spring of 2007, Mike Haugen spent 40 days working to get to the top of one mountain. This summer, he's attempting 50 peaks in 50 days.

These aren't just any old summits. They're the tallest points in each of America's 50 states. If they stay on schedule, Haugen and his travel companions - Zach Price and Lindsay Danner - will attempt a one-day summit of Utah's Kings Peak in Duchesne County next Monday.

"After every peak we say, 'This was the best,' " Haugen said from Rapid City, S.D., on Monday after knocking off the highest points in Iowa (1,670 feet above sea level) and South Dakota (7,242). "It has been an amazing trip so far, and we are looking forward to getting into the West."

Haugen, a 31-year-old middle-school teacher from Denver and an adventurer at heart, turned his 2007 trip up Mount Everest, the planet's tallest point, into a cause to get kids to explore the great outdoors. The Coleman Company, which sponsored his trip, says more than 7,000 schoolchildren followed Haugen up Everest via the Internet.

The event went so well that Coleman and Haugen quickly pondered another way to reach out to children during his time on the Himalayan highpoint.

"Somebody mentioned something like the 50 highest points in the states and I kind of shrugged it off," Haugen said. "The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. The goal is to try and get kids outside, and to do that, we really should focus on the United States. Then somebody said we could really make it a huge challenge and do it in 50 days. I said 'Cool, let's do it.' "

The official 50-in-50 clock started at 6:53 p.m. on June 9, when Haugen and Price made it to the top of Mount McKinley in Alaska, the highest point in North America.

The pair then flew to Florida and hooked up with Danner for the start of a zigzag trek across the U.S. As of Monday, they had driven more than 9,000 miles in their hybrid Toyota Highlander.

"I can count on one hand the number of major interstates we have been on. It has been back roads almost the whole time, and that can be some slow going," Haugen said.

Logistically, the 50-in-50 expedition has been more daunting than Everest. Mix road travel with a tight schedule - and the fact that not all of the states' high points are on open lands - and the possibility for chaos increases.

"A variety of groups own the high spots," Haugen said. "Some are on private property, and some are owned by companies like coal-mining corporations. But everybody has been really great to work with. They hear about the cause of the trip and they help us out."

The team has managed to knock off an average of two high points a day since landing in Florida. On June 17, they managed to reach the tallest spots in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

But the two-peaks-a-day possibilities have ended now that the team is in the West.

"We are now dealing with bigger mountains, longer hikes and longer drives, but I'm looking forward to getting into the true mountains," Haugen said. "I enjoy hiking, but my passion is mountaineering."

In addition to the rare feat of reaching the tallest peak in each state, Haugen says the greatest reward has been the interaction he's had along the way. The team often finds people waiting for it at trailheads before and after hikes.

"People are really excited about what we are doing, and it means a lot to have them meet us on the trail," Haugen said. "I think they like being a part of the adventure."

On Monday, after 34 states, Haugen admitted the trip has been exhausting. Does he still think it was a good idea?

"You better ask me in about a month," he said. "It has been outrageous. We are having fun every step of the way. I hope it works to gets kids off the couch."

The trip is scheduled to end July 25 on the top of the dormant Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii.

Brett Prettyman covers the outdoors. Contact him at brettp@sltrib.com or 801-257-8902.

Visitor comments from the 50 State in 50 Days blog

hey mr. haugen i'm goin 2 be an 8th grader when we start school hope you can be my teacher. Good luck on your ADVENTURE!!!!!

Perla - Denver, CO

Great read of your EPIC in Virginia, guys. Love keeping track, best of luck

Graeme - Melbourne, Australia

Mike, Zach and Lindsay, It was great meeting you the other day and welcoming you to Georgia. Keep up the great work and keep trying to get those kids outside. I am sure you will have nothing but great luck in your travels to the other states. Thanks for taking me to the summit of Brasstown Bald.

Dave - Cumming, GA

I'm exhausted just reading about your crazy trip! I can't take my eyes off your SPOT tracks. Thanks for taking us along on this awesome adventure!

Sharon -Tacoma, WA

More online

To see how Mike Haugen and his team handle Kings Peak in Utah, and to follow them through the rest of their trip, visit http://www.coleman.com/coleman/5050/