Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's Big Expedition for Cancer Research Team Returns From Reconnaissance Flight Over Alaska's Glacie...( Team finalizes choice of mounta...),Health

Team finalizes choice of mountain and route for June expedition

SEATTLE, March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Members from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's Big Expedition for Cancer Research got their first aerial look at the peak they will climb this summer. The group returned today from a photo flyover to plan a primary route up the unnamed and unclimbed mountain in Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park. The Big Expedition for Cancer Research is a quest sponsored by the Hutchinson Center to raise national awareness of cancer research.

The 8,300 foot mountain, which had not been seen by a mountaineer in more than 30 years, had only been viewed from one side, making planning for the expedition difficult. It is in a remote location and features a precipitous peak.

This June, a team of four professional climbers from across North America will scale the unnamed peak as the kick-off event of this national awareness campaign. The climb mirrors the quest to eliminate cancer -- the route is uncharted, there are inevitable unexpected setbacks and exhilarating advances, yet the goal remains paramount.

"The remoteness of the mountain makes this an expedition in the truest sense," said Kevin Mahoney, expedition member from Madison, New Hampshire. "It's a classic peak, but one that offers no easy routes. Its location adds to the challenge. As climbers, we are all excited to climb this peak in the name of cancer research."

Using Air Excursions flying service out of Juneau, Kevin Mahoney; Jim Wickwire, an experienced Alaska climber and member of the Mountaineering Advisory Committee; and Kit Herrod, director of public relations for the Hutchinson Center, were on board for the flyover to finalize the mountain choice and route.

"After more than three decades, it was exciting to see this area of the Fairweather Range again," said Jim Wickwire, who first viewed the mountain in the late 1970s while climbing in the area. "It is truly a stunni
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