Hutchinson Center Announces First Unclimbed Mountain to be Tackled by Big Expedition for Cance...( Unnamed peak in Alaska's Glacier Bay ...),Health

Unnamed peak in Alaska's Glacier Bay Park to be the focus of this inaugural

climbing quest

SEATTLE, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- An unclimbed mountain near Mount Abbe in the northern reaches of Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park will be the focus of the inaugural Big Expedition for Cancer Research, a quest sponsored by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, with interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists and researchers including three Nobel laureates, to raise national awareness of cancer research.

A team of four professional climbers from across North America this June will scale the unnamed peak, more than 8,000 feet high 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 announcement of the mountain was made today in Seattle after months of discussions with the team and members of the Hutchinson Center's Mountaineering Advisory Committee, which includes Jim Wickwire, a renowned mountaineer and Alaska expert.

"I first saw this peak in 1973 on an expedition to the Fairweather Range in the heart of the national park. Though not high in Everest or McKinley terms, it's a stunning peak. This will be a challenging climb for the team," Wickwire said.

Wickwire will accompany team members and representatives from the Hutchinson Center on a route-finding photo flyover of the area in the coming weeks. "This is a truly new adventure for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. We are fortunate to have found strong allies in our Mountaineering Advisory Committee and experienced, dedicated mountaineers to make up the Big Expedition team," said Linda Gainer, vice president of External Affairs and Communications at the Hutchinson Center.

The National Park Service supports the Big Expedition for Cancer Research. Th
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