Geography professor Ellen Kraly’s hiking boots have logged many miles.
Four years ago they went up Mount Baker in Washington state as Kraly raised money for breast cancer research, and next week they’ll be taking on Mount Baker’s larger Cascade neighbor, Mount Rainier, for the same cause.
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| Geography professor Ellen Kraly shows her vlog colors when she reached the summit of Mount Baker during her 2004 climb in support of cancer research. |
A survivor of breast cancer, Kraly has been an active speaker and fundraiser to help fight the disease.
Kraly and her son Jim, who accompanied her on the Mount Baker climb, will be scaling Rainier with a group led by Alpine Ascent International Aug. 13-15.
As she has been preparing for her climb, the vlog and Hamilton communities have rallied behind her.
Campus groups such as the Breast Cancer Awareness Coalition and the geography department used creative ways to help Kraly exceed her $10,000 donation goal for the , which is organizing the climb.
The Outdoor Education Program held a raffle at the Banff Film Festival in Hamilton to raise money. Women’s basketball showed support by having Kraly serve as a guest coach and announcing her Mount Rainier effort during a game.
“A large portion of what we’ve raised came from the vlog community,” Kraly said. “They’ve supported me in incredible ways.”
Even President Rebecca Chopp — who won’t be joining Kraly on the climb this year as she did in 2004 — has been keeping Kraly company almost every morning as she trains on the old ski hill.
Local jewelry maker Lisa Oristian and Evergreen Gallery owner Laurie Tomberlin Shoemaker teamed up to sponsor Kraly’s climb.
Oristian crafted a special necklace — a pink bead with breast cancer support ribbons engraved on the silver back — to be sold at the Hamilton gallery. The majority of the necklace proceeds will go to Kraly’s cause; Oristian is only keeping enough to cover the cost of materials. Shoemaker also is not taking any commission from the necklace sales.
“It’s important to us because we’re women and we want to support each other,” said Shoemaker.
Another meaningful item brought to the top will be a string of Himalayan prayer flags with the names of people the climbers are honoring. Kraly will be dedicating the climb to her husband Scott’s Aunt Irene, who died of breast cancer.