2021 Mount Himlung Ascent

Getting extraordinarily Gutsy for GI Cancer Research

In 2015 the first Gutsy Challenge team, led by AGITG-GI Cancer Institute Deputy-Chair Associate Professor Niall Tebbutt, scaled the heights of Mt Kilimanjaro – the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895m.

In 2017 a team of intrepid mountaineers, also led by Associate Professor Niall Tebbutt, scaled Mt Aconcagua - the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas at 6,960m.

In 2021, Niall and team will be taking on another high altitude, extreme mountaineering climb, ascending to extraordinary heights. This time they will scale the 7,126m mountain Himlung Himal in Nepal.

Mt Himlung is located in the Manaslu region of Nepal, which is considered one of the most remote corners of the mountain country at the border between Nepal and Tibet. The climb is a steep and icy ascent, and since its opening in 1992 only a handful of teams have successfully completed it. 

Joining Niall on this challenge is Dr Matt Burge, Dr Lara Lipton, Dr Simone Steel, John Deadman, Jasmine Lipton and Jason Long. 

Following months of training, including ‘practice’ climbs scaling icy peaks in New Zealand, to master the technical expertise and fitness level that is required to climb Mt Himlung Himal, the team will take on the 28 day climb to reach the summit. This is a remarkable effort on the part of the members of this team to raise much needed funds for GI cancer research.

“We are undertaking this noteworthy Gutsy Challenge to raise funds to support innovative and vital research so that we can continue to provide better treatments for people living with GI Cancer,” said Associate Professor Niall Tebbutt. “We need your support in helping us reach the top so that we can achieve our ultimate aim of making GI cancer a disease of the past.”

GI cancer includes cancer of the oesophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder and biliary tract, pancreas, large and small bowel and rectum and anus.

Over 28,900 Australians diagnosed every year, with 38 Australians dying every day.

All funds raised will support the Innovation Fund, which is designed to provide new clinical trial opportunities for patients with GI cancer. 

Why the GI Cancer Institute?

The GI Cancer Institute saves lives by funding gastro-intestinal (GI) cancer clinical trials research in Australia.

GI Cancers are the most common form of cancer, directly affecting more than 28,900 Australians each year and claiming a devastating 38 lives a day.

The research that we fund enables Australians with GI cancer to receive the best medical treatment. By conducting research in Australia, our cancer patients receive new treatments three to five years earlier than if the research was to take place overseas.

Our clinical trials allow us to find better ways to treat GI cancers.