Caleb Gaudian, a 2011 Albert Lea High School graduate, has been serving in the U.S. Coast Guard in Oahu, Hawaii, for the past year and a half.

 

Caleb Gaudian flew to the island of Kauai to meet up with his parents Bryce and Cindy Gaudian of Hayward in early February. While on the island, Bryce and Caleb Gaudian hiked 42 miles on the Na Pali coast. Bryce Gaudian was doing his third Ultra-Hike fundraising effort to raise money for Hill Country Youth Ranch and Big Springs Ranch for Children in Texas.

The Christian ranches restore and redeem the lives of children who have been rescued out of abuse, abandonment and severe trauma, according to a press release. Ultra-Hike No. 3 had a fundraising goal of $34,000 to cover three projects: a 50-seat set of bleachers for the outdoor track and cross country course, air conditioning in the gymnasium at Big Springs Ranch for Children and bike racks for the 16 children’s homes spread between both ranches.

For the venue, the Kalalau Trail was chosen for 25 of the miles.   The Kalalau Trail follows the Na Pali coast, and is ranked as one of the Top 20 Most Dangerous Trails on the planet, according to Bryce Gaudian. Besides being dangerous, it is epic in beauty, the Gaudians said.

Having left cold Minnesota, the 105-degree temperature difference was very welcome, they said, although it lent itself to heat exhaustion worries due to profuse sweating, fatigue and the challenges of the trail.

Bryce Gaudian said the temperature made the island a perfect venue for raising money toward air conditioning for a  Texas gymnasium where active children and youth participate in volleyball, basketball and other activities, and where fans are in the stands up to six months of the year.

Another seven miles were hiked in Waimea Canyon — known as The Grand Canyon of the Pacific, according to the Gaudians. Three more miles were hiked up on a plateau along the Na Pali coast, and then seven miles on Barking Sands Beach on the Pacific Missile Range Facility Naval Base.

 

At press time, the Ultra-Hike No. 3 fundraising goal had been exceeded. Over $48,000 has come in, according to the Gaudians.

In September 2014, Ultra-Hike No. 1 covered 49 miles in the Grand Canyon in Arizona, raising over $52,000 for four specific projects.

Ultra-Hike No. 2 was in September 2015 in Sequoia National Park and the Mohave Desert, covering 45 miles and raising over $72,000 for nine projects at the ranches.

The total amount raised through Bryce Gaudian’s three Ultra-Hikes is now over $173,000, and he said 16 specific projects or enhancements have been accomplished on both ranches.

He said over 1,000 people from across the U.S. and from overseas have sent donations, coming alongside Bryce Gaudian’s efforts for the children and youth being cared for at the centers.