Eddie Bauer Guide Melissa Arnot and Guide-In-Training Maddie Miller Finish the 50 Peaks Challenge With The All-Time Speed Record

BELLEVUE, Wash., Aug. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, August 7, college student Maddie Miller successfully completed the 50 Peaks Challenge, also known as the "Highpoint Challenge," in 41 days, 16 hours, and 10 minutes, beating the all-time speed record of 43 days, 2 hours and 8 minutes, facilitated by Eddie Bauer Guide and world record holder Melissa Arnot, atop Hawaii's Mauna Kea.

In partnership with Eddie Bauer, Microsoft and popchips, the duo set out  to complete the 50 Peaks Challenge, a 50-day expedition during which they aimed to summit all 50 highpoints in the U.S. within 50 days. The purpose of the challenge, though a difficult physical and mental task, resonated more in the mentorship aspect and journey than the feat itself, opening people's eyes to adventures, big and small.

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 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 within 50 days. Maddie not only became the first female to complete the challenge in less than 50 days, but did so with the ultimate speed record. In order to complete the challenge, the team summited as many as five peaks in one day. While some of the highpoints were small enough to summit in just a few hours, others require a full day or week to climb.

"Guiding Maddie to complete this challenge with the speed record is just incredible. Her dedication, agility and positive attitude are what carried us through a project embedded with so many challenges along the way.  While setting out to teach, I've, in turn, learned so much from her and hope that we've been able to reach even a small audience our message of outdoor adventure and belief in oneself."

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 108 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 also became the first American woman to successfully complete the climb without supplemental oxygen.

"We are proud of Melissa and Maddie for setting yet another record" said Mike Egeck, Chief Executive Officer of Eddie Bauer. "Eddie Bauer has been facilitating the guidance and mentorship of adventurers since we were founded in 1920 and almost 100 years later, our guides are still doing just that."

For more information on the 50 Peaks Challenge, please visit www.eddiebauer.com/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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SOURCE Eddie Bauer