An intriguing new offering for climbers – “Volcanoes of Mexico” – highlights the 2008 Climb to Fight Breast Cancer® benefiting Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
The 11th annual Climb has expanded its international slate of peaks to include two expeditions to central Mexico to ascend Pico de Orizaba (18,850 feet) and Ixtaccíhuatl (17,343 feet). Both trips will be led by professional guides from Alpine Ascents International (AAI).

The Climb to Fight Breast Cancer’s international and domestic mountain choices enables outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels to challenge themselves in honor or memory of loved ones who have battled breast cancer – or to celebrate a personal victory over the disease.

The “Volcanoes” climbs will take place in October and November; the rest are scheduled for the summer months. Peaks include:

• Mount Adams in Washington (12,276 feet)
• Mount Baker in Washington (10,781 feet)
• Mount Elbrus in Russia (18,510 feet)
• Mount Hood in Oregon (11,237 feet)
• Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (19,340 feet)
• Mount Rainier in Washington (14,411 feet)

In addition to “Volcanoes,” AAI will lead expeditions to Mount Elbrus, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Rainier and Mount Baker. Guides from Portland Parks & Recreation will lead teams up Mount Adams and Mount Hood. A full schedule of peaks, climb dates and routes can be found at http://www.fhcrc.org/climb .

Each climb will have a limited number of team members – generally nine or 10 – as established by the guide services. Each participant commits to a fundraising minimum of $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the mountain.

Since the first Climb to Fight Breast Cancer 11 years ago on Mount Adams, the popular fundraiser has garnered more than $3 million for the cause of breast-cancer research at the Hutchinson Center.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death among women in the United States. Every 12 minutes a woman will die of breast cancer. The Hutchinson Center is at the forefront of breast-cancer research that enables women and men to lead fuller, healthier lives.

Editor’s note: photos of past Climb to Fight Breast Cancer ascents are available upon request.

Source: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center