Apart from my yearly devotion to Stairway to Heaven, which I sadly missed in 2024, this is the second hike and event from our group's line-up that I should never, ever miss. Despite being the last person to arrive before the final briefing (I'm not usually late promise!), I still made it to the event! Now in its 9th year, the infamous Cancer Awareness Climb took place this past weekend, February 7th-8th, in none other than Ras Al Khaimah, UAE!
Photo Credit: All photos in this post were taken and are owned by Sir Geo Nalang.
A Look Back at FOX.AE's Cancer Awareness Climb
The Cancer Awareness Climb began nine years ago and has since become an annual open event organized by FOX.AE, my hiking family in the UAE. Inspired by a team member's personal experience, the event was born out of the immense challenge of caring for a loved one with cancer, an experience no one is ever truly prepared for. Watching family members lose their battles with the disease was heartbreaking. And from that pain came the idea of an outdoor gathering where we could spread awareness, honor those we've lost, and connect with others on similar painful journeys.
The event usually kicks off on a Friday night after working hours. It begins with a registration, followed by a gathering filled with food, personal testimonies, and moments to network and socialize.
After sunrise, everyone broke camp and prepared for the long day ahead. The event officially started with the final climb briefing and a short warm-up exercise led by Sir Roy Ramos.
Hike Proper & Hiking Trail
The adventure began with a long walk along the main road to reach the base of the mountain. Since we couldnโt find a nearby space for a campsite, the walk itself served as a warm-up for all the hikers.
Then, the 'spicy' part of the trail finally made its grand entrance.
There's no established trail at all, just scattered goat trails that were challenging to follow for the untrained eye. Even I got confused several times and I had to rely on our lead, Sir Roy, for guidance.
As we tread our own path, the steep slopes and loose scree terrain continued to challenge our hikers. Especially to those with a fear of heights. Many had no choice but to scramble their way up, gripping onto rocks for support.
Slowly but surely, the toughest part of the trail ended. A plateau offered a brief refuge before transitioning into an easy walk at the ridge. One final short but steep ascent stood between us and the summit, a last push before the ultimate reward.
As part of the last group to reach the peak, it meant we had a shorter lunch break than most. Other hikers had already started their descent, so we had to follow quickly. The route down included some narrow, kiss-the-wall trails before leading us to a wide, dry riverbed known as a 'wadi'.
The wadi section ended quickly, and soon enough, we found ourselves back at the ground level, making the final walk toward the campsite.
Post Hike Musings
While our group's cause may not directly assist those battling cancer, we firmly believe that raising awareness is far better than doing nothing at all. Moreso, year after year, we hear more testimonies from people who find solace in this eventโwhether by seeking support, sharing their struggles, or simply finding comfort in knowing theyโre not alone.
This year, our dear friend Sir Francis Kevin shared his story. He recently lost his wife, Mam Rose, after her long and difficult fight against cancer. His testimony was filled with strength, resilience, and love. No amount of imagination could ever truly capture the pain and hardship he and his wife endured. If I were in his shoes, would I be able to find the same strength?
As we continue to honor the memory of those we've lost, we remain committed to spreading awarenessโno matter how small the impact may seem. To everyone who has supported us year after year, we sincerely thank you. And as always, see you again next year!
With lots of love,
FOX.AE๐ฆ
AND AS A GENTLE OUTDOOR ETHICS REMINDER:
LEAVE NO TRACE!
