Voting begins today on the People's Choice Awards for the 2010 National Geographic Adventure’s (NGA) Adventurer of the Year. Among the 10 nominees is Mountain Hardwear athlete and Outdoor Nation Ambassador Matt Moniz, who is being recognized for his 50-50 Expedition, during which he summited the 50 U.S. high points in just 43 days with his father Mike.
Matt, 12, is being recognized for his 50-50 Expedition, during which he summited the 50 U.S. high points in just 43 days. He now holds the speed record and is the youngest to complete the task. He and his climbing partner and father Mike Moniz used the adventure and his work as an ambassador for the Outdoor Nation to encourage more kids to get outside and play and raise money for medical research.
During his 2009 summer vacation, he and his dad summited 14 of Colorado’s 14,000-ft peaks (in 8 days) to raise money and awareness for his best friend, Iain Hess, who suffers from a rare disease called Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). Iain constantly works for breath, like he’s on an 8000-meter peak, even when he’s sitting on his couch. Matt saw the correlation between high altitude climbing and his friend’s disease and decided to do something to make a difference. And that he did…His climbing has raised more than $25,000 for PAH research.
Feeling inspired? Set a reminder in your calendar, add the link to your favorites and vote daily for Matt Moniz!
http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/adventurers-of-the-year/vote/
For more about Matt, visit: http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Matthew-Moniz—Alpinist/Athlete_Matt_Moniz,default,pg.html
And here’s a little hometown press: http://www.dailycamera.com/news/ci_16801858
