A Coquitlam resident is on a trip of a lifetime to help sick kids at BC Children's Hospital.
Julian Alphibert is one of eight Metro Vancouver climbers now trekking to the base of Mt. Everest to raise money through Summits of Hope, a charity set up 12 years ago that partners with the hospital's foundation.
Alphibert, a well-known volunteer in the city - having served as chair of the Olympic Spirit of BC committee and, recently, with the multiculturalism advisory committee - wants to collect $5,000 for the cause.
Alphibert signed up for the Himalayan adventure after visiting with the young patients and their parents during last year's Mountain of Toys event, where Summits of Hope officials and their climbers give thousands of dollars worth of stuffed animals, games and electronics to make the kids' days brighter.
"My participation this year has, at times, filled me with self-doubt," he wrote. "However, on reflecting on last year's event, I realize how fortunate I am to be able to choose this challenge.
"The courage I witnessed in the eyes of those kids is the fuel that I hope will guide me forward and upward to the base camp of Mt. Everest. I feel extremely privileged to have this opportunity."
While many of his fellow climbers have been on previous Summits' expeditions, Alphibert's only attempt with scaling mountains has been doing the Grouse Grind. He plans to blog about his Everest journey, which ends Nov. 9, at www.summitsofhope.com.
Summits of Hope's past fundraisers include Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Aconcagua, Mt. McKinley and Mt. Elbrus. Next year, its climbers will hike Machu Picchu and Kilimanjaro.
To donate to Julian Alphibert's campaign, visit www.summitsofhope.com.
