*Ander Thompson standing at the highest point in Montana (Granite Peak - 12,807’) during his 49th summit.*

Ander Thompson set out to climb the highest peak in every state with a simple goal: finish what he started and make it matter. Inspired by his father, who set out to visit all 50 states before turning 50, Ander began pursuing his own version of that legacy. In May 2017, he climbed the highest peak in New York, officially launching what would become a deeply personal, years-long journey across the country.

That journey has unfolded alongside a life of service. Ander attended the United States Military Academy and has served for eight years in the U.S. Army. He commissioned as an engineer officer in 2018 and has served as an engineer diver in Hawaii, with the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, and with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. He has deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel and conducted operations throughout the Pacific theater, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, Fiji, and the Marshall Islands.

Along the way, each summit has carried a story; moments of challenge, resolve, and gratitude that have shaped who he is. His 49th mountain was Granite Peak in the Beartooth Range of Montana, and it helped confirm what he already knew: This final climb should be bigger than a personal milestone. Ander is using his 50th summit to give back to the men and women who carry the weight of service for our nation.

In May 2026, Ander will attempt Denali in Alaska, the highest peak in the United States and the final summit in his 50-state journey. He says he “saved the best for last,” and he’s dedicating this climb to Big Sky Bravery, a Montana-based nonprofit serving active-duty Special Operations Forces and their families through world-class restoration programs.

The fundraising goal is $20,310: the elevation of Denali. Every dollar raised supports Big Sky Bravery’s mission and the community they serve. This goal will support 20 active-duty SOF recipients’ travel expenses for upcoming Task Forces this year.