The first Climb for Cancer takes place today at the cutbanks off PG Pulpmill Road. Photo 250 News

Prince George, B.C. – The inaugural Climb for Cancer up the cutbanks in Prince George takes place this afternoon, with all proceeds going to support the Kordyban Lodge.

Organizing committee chair Doug Bell says the goal of this year’s first Climb fundraiser is $10,000, with plans to make it an annual event to support the lodge and the assistance it offers patients who are receiving treatment at the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North.

As far as participating in the Climb is concerned Bell says “we will allow people to register at the event (but) we’re encouraging them to register in advance so we know how many people are coming.  They can go to the winery’s website, which is www.northernlightswinery.ca , click “register” and they can register up until (Saturday) morning.”

Bell says “there is no registration fee on the website but there is a $5 registration fee once they (climbers) come to the event.”  He says participants have been signing up pledges which can either be donated online “or they can collect cash and bring it to the event and give it to the volunteers for the Canadian Cancer Society, and tax receipts are available for those.”

Bell says the Climb for Cancer “is a drop-in event.  Participants can show up anytime between 11:40 a.m.  and 4 o’clock, and when they register at the tables they’ll be given a time of when they can start their walk, just so we can marshall how many people are on the hill at any given time.”

And how do you get back down the cutbanks?  “You walk up, you walk back down,” says Bell, “no beds, no couches, no skiing.  We do have first aid on site as well as a hill marshall and volunteers along the hill to encourage people and help them if they’re having any issues.”

“The opening ceremonies will be at noon.  It’s taking place at the Northern Lights Estate Winery main orchard, which is just across (PG Pulpmill Road) from the building.  When people arrive they’ll be greeted by volunteers who will be parking them.  We also have overflow parking at Pacific Western Brewery which is 1.5 kilometres from here and we have shuttle busses running all day.”

Bell says there will be plenty going on around this event.  “The (City of Prince George) firefighters are doing a barbecue, Wendy’s Restaurants in Prince George is serving Chilis and Frostys and we have four local acts that will be playing on the main stage at the amphitheatre.”

He says organizers have made preparations in the event of rain.  “At the orchard side we’re going to have tents in front of the stage so there will be a place to keep dry for everybody and then the participants can brave the cold and do their climb, so it’s not an issue.”

Pat Bell (above right shaking sand out of his shoe) was at the climb site Friday afternoon, putting up signs in preparation of the event.  He figures the elevation from road to top of the cutbanks is roughly 110 metres (about 330 feet), at close to a 45 degree incline.  He plans on tackling the climb today, saying he’s done it many times.  “10 minutes, 15 seconds, that’s my best time so far and I’m gonna try to beat it.”  He says a little rain will actually help to compact the sandy hill and make it easier on the climbers because their feet won’t be sinking in the sand.

“Our goal,” says Doug Bell “is to raise $10,000 for the Kordyban Cancer Lodge, and we’re hoping to surpass that goal.”