Eddie Bauer Guide Melissa Arnot Sets Out On 50 Peaks Challenge In Attempt To Summit The Highest Peak In Every State In 50 Days

BELLEVUE, Wash., June 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Eddie Bauer Guide, Melissa Arnot, in partnership with Eddie Bauer, Microsoft and popchips, launches the 50 Peaks Challenge, a 50-day expedition in which she and Guide in Training, Maddie Miller, aim to summit all 50 highpoints in the U.S. With this challenge, the climbing duo aims to encourage mentorship and inspire people everywhere to live their adventure, even if it's in their own backyard.

The challenge officially began on June 27 when Miller reached the summit of Denali, the highest mountain peak in Alaska and North America. Arnot mentored Miller and provided team support from afar while finalizing trip logistics for the remaining 49 summits ahead in the challenge.

As of 2014, 273 people are known to have climbed all 50 highpoints. Of this number, only two separate male teams have reached all 50 highpoints in 50 days. If Arnot and Miller complete the trip, 21-year-old Miller will be the first woman to complete the challenge in 50 days.

"The 50 Peaks Challenge is something Maddie and I have been excited about since we first thought of it while climbing Mt. Borah in Idaho a few years ago," Arnot said. "It's been incredible to watch her grow as an athlete and future guide; seeing her drive makes me continue to push myself too."

In order to complete the challenge, they will have to summit as many as six peaks in one day. While some of the highpoints are small enough to summit in just a few hours, others require a full day or week to climb. In mid-August, the two will revisit Washington's Mt. Rainier, where they first met in 2013 during an expedition that Arnot led, before heading to Hawaii to make their final summit on Mauna Kea.

A professional mountain guide since 2004 and member of the Eddie Bauer Guide and Athlete Team since 2009, Arnot has led expeditions around the world including Ecuador, Argentina, Africa and Alaska. She has summited Mt. Rainier 107 times and also holds the record for most summits to Mt. Everest completed by an American woman. Arnot just returned from her sixth Mt. Everest expedition in May where she became the first American woman to successfully complete the climb without supplemental oxygen.

"Our history is rich with stories of guiding and mentorship, starting with our Founder and Guide, Eddie Bauer," said Mike Egeck, Chief Executive Officer of Eddie Bauer. "It's exciting to watch Melissa and Maddie carry on this tradition as they set out to accomplish something no female team has done."

For more information on the 50 Peaks Challenge, please visit www.eddiebauer.com/50Peaks. Or follow Melissa and Maddie as they share live updates on social media at #50Peaks.

To learn more about Eddie Bauer Guide, Melissa Arnot, please visit http://team.eddiebauer.com or www.melissaarnot.com.

About Eddie Bauer
Eddie Bauer is an active outdoor brand offering premium-quality outerwear, apparel, footwear, accessories and gear. For almost 100 years, Eddie Bauer has been outfitting America; inspiring and enabling people to live their adventure. Eddie Bauer products are available online at www.eddiebauer.com, and at more than 400 stores in the United States, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

About Microsoft Band
Microsoft Band is the latest fitness wearable from Microsoft designed to help live healthier and achieve more. Featuring a curved display, continuous optical heart rate monitor and onboard GPS, the smart band tracks calories burned, deep exercise, sleep quality and floors climbed — all while maintaining up to two-day battery life. Microsoft Band is available for purchase at www.microsoftstore.com.

About popchips
popchips®, one of the hottest snacks brands in North America and the UK, is a delicious line of popped potato chips with all the flavor and half the fat of fried chips. popchips has been winning awards and acclaim since its launch in 2007, while garnering a passionate following among sports enthusiasts, trendsetters, moms, and celebrities alike. popchips' fans include Jillian Michaels, Ashton Kutcher, and Sean (Diddy) Combs.

popchips are now sold at over 30,000 retailers across North America and the UK, including Safeway, Kroger, Target, Walgreens, Wegmans, Loblaws, select Costco locations, Whole Foods Market, and online at amazon.com. In 2016, the company introduced an entirely new line called popchips potato Ridges. The bold and crunchy ridged chips are available in four flavors including; salted, tangy bbq, cheddar & sour cream and chili cheese. For more information about the company and its products, pop over to www.popchips.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

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