In this technological age, many of us spend our workdays sitting in front of a computer screen. And that's certainly the case for Mike Kosel, an IT professional with Kaiser Permanente in Colorado.

But Kosel balances the deskbound nature of his job in a big way. When he has time off from the office, he heads for the mountains—to climb some of the tallest peaks in the world.

"I didn't start from nothing and just decide I wanted to climb these peaks," says Kosel. "I started by setting realistic goals in the short term, then reached higher as I met each one."

14,000 feet and rising

The Rocky Mountain native discovered his passion for heights by way of bicycle. In 1995 he rode to the summit of Colorado's Mount Evans on the highest paved road in North America at 14,264 feet.

Kosel was hooked. He wanted to master more mountains over 14,000 feet, known among climbers as fourteeners. And with the vast majority of them unreachable by bike, he swapped his wheels for a pair of boots.

This new ambition kept Kosel busy for a while. He worked his way from shorter climbs to longer climbs and through increasingly challenging conditions, adding 60 pounds of mountaineering gear to his pack load.

By 2008, Kosel had climbed all 54 fourteeners in the state of Colorado. And he'd already set a new goal for himself—this time, a bit farther from home.

The Seven Summits

Kosel had decided to take on the Seven Summits—a mountaineering challenge that involves climbing the tallest peak on each of the seven continents of the world.

Since then he's climbed three: Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa, 19,340 feet), Mount Elbrus (Europe, 18,510 feet), and Aconcagua (South America, 22,841 feet). He plans to climb North America's Denali at 20,320 feet in May 2010.

To Kosel, each peak represents a new challenge, either in altitude, climate, or terrain. He's projected his seven climbs—considering the costs for each expedition—through 2020.

It's the journey that counts

Reaching the summit isn't Kosel's only motivation. The self-described outdoors addict finds real pleasure in the journey itself—being in the wilderness, navigating different conditions, challenging his body and mind.

"We all have things we're drawn to, and for me that's being in the mountains," he says. "Whether I reach the summit or get turned back within minutes, I can’t imagine a better way to have fun."

Kosel even savors the return home. Back on level ground, he feels a sense of accomplishment. And if he didn't reach the top of the mountain he set out to climb, he still takes satisfaction in knowing he gave it all he had.

Whatever your pleasure

However you choose to challenge yourself—whether by mountain climbing, cycling, fishing, or simply walking—Kosel feels that having fun is the most important thing. It's what keeps you going back for more.

"If you don't love what you're doing, then find something you do love," he says. "I've climbed all the 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado—many of them several times—and I've enjoyed each and every experience."

filed in: Exercise & Fitness
subjects: exercise, fitness, outdoor recreation