A Davey man plans to climb Oregon's Mount Hood in June to raise money for at-risk urban teens.

Matt Alberti and three other outdoor enthusiasts will start their climb June 17. If all goes well, they will reach the 11,249-foot, snow-capped summit the next day.

The Mount Hood ascent is part of Backpacker Magazine's Summit for Someone, a fundraiser for Big City Mountaineers, a nonprofit recreational mentoring program for at-risk urban teens.

Big City Mountaineer's mission is to provide troubled teens in need of positive adult mentoring with a challenging and safe wilderness experience led by qualified volunteer guides.

In its five-year history, the Denver-based group has raised $1.5 million with the help of 825 climbers, said spokeswoman Hillary Harding.

Alberti will turn 40 on June 15 but said the climb is not part of a mid-life crisis.

"To be honest, I see it more as a perfect marriage as what I see as important in my life … giving back to the community and others and role modeling for my children."

Alberti has never done a classic mountain climb (with crampons and ropes), but he has been at elevations as high as Mt. Hood. He's been training for a month - running as much as 20 miles a week, cycling, and lifting weights at the Y - to get ready.

Mount Hood, with 12 glaciers, is the highest mountain in Oregon and the fourth highest in the Cascade Range. Over the course of 25 years, 36 deaths have been recorded on the peak.

Climbers must raise a minimum of $3,400 to participate in the ascent, one of 12 for this year's program. All of the climbs will be in the U.S. except for one in Mexico.

Harding said the $3,400 not only helps at-risk teens but also covers guide costs and gear. Depending on the peak, each climber gets a free backpack, helmet and ice axe, plus a "gear card" to buy other equipment, courtesy of the sponsors.

Alberti, who works for a Lincoln marketing firm, has pledged to raise $4,000. The fundraising has been a challenge, he said. So far, his efforts have included creating a page on Facebook and asking friends to contribute.

Harding said none of the money raised by Alberti or other climbers will be spent on at-risk programs in Nebraska, but that could change in the future as the program expands.

"Our goal in 10 years is to help 10,000 kids," she said.

Now, they help 2,600 in in the Pacific Northwest, Denver, Chicago and San Francisco.

Alberti said he is OK with the money going elsewhere. The important thing to him is helping at-risk teens.

"It would be ideal that there would be programs that they would be supporting in Nebraska … but children are children, and that makes me feel fine where it's going."

Reach Algis J. Laukaitis at 473-7243 or alaukaitis@journalstar.com.