For the second consecutive year, Albert Lea volunteer cross country coach Bryce Gaudian plans to raise money for abused and abandoned children through an ultra-hike, according to a press release.

Last year, Gaudian, who works in business development at Agilis Co. in Albert Lea, hiked 49 miles in the Grand Canyon, a distance that was farther than rim to rim, to provide $52,000 for Hill Country Youth Ranch in Ingram, Texas, and its sister campus, Big Springs Ranch for Children near Leakey, Texas.

This year, Gaudian will raise money for the same beneficiary. He plans to hike 35 miles through sequoia trees in northern California. His goal is to raise $2,000 per mile. Gaudian said it is his highest goal in 14 years of raising money for nonprofit organizations.

Gaudian visited the ranches in April and said they are loving places for the kids who have had a rough childhood.

“The experience was monumental and profound,” he said. “I witnessed, first-hand, manifold joy and saw the fruit of true healing in these precious kids’ lives. I was impressed on every level.”

Gaudian said he was impressed at the spreadsheet of where the funds he helped raise were utilized because the entire amount went to the ranch construction of four projects — a 5K cross country course, a dirt-bike track, a long-jump track and walking trails — and none to administrative expenses.

Jonah Priour, son of Youth Ranch Executive Director Gary Priour, spent time with Gaudian when he visited the ranches in April.

“Bryce is a generous man who notices others,” said Priour. “We are grateful that he took notice of us.”

Donations earmarked “2015 Ultra-Hike” can be sent to the Hill Country Youth Ranch at P.O. Box 67, Ingram, Texas, 78025 or given online at www.youth-ranch.org, designating each gift for the ultra-hike.