Laura Duane honours late mum with Mount Kerinci climb for cancer research

A Queensland woman determined to honour her late mother’s memory has taken on a daunting task on Indonesia’s highest active volcano.

To honour her mum and help raise funds for cancer research, Laura Duane decided she would take on the daunting hike up and down Mount Kerinci, the highest active volcano in Indonesia.

A Sunshine Coast resident has climbed to new, volcanic heights on a mission to challenge herself, honour her dearly departed mum, and raise money for cancer research.

Laura Duane, 27, lost her mum to cancer when she was just 17.

In the 10 years since, Ms Dunne has realised “cancer impacts everyone” and effective research can “make such a difference” in people’s lives.

To honour her late mum and help raise funds for cancer research, Ms Duane decided she would take on the daunting hike up and down Mount Kerinci, the highest active volcano in Indonesia.

After two gruelling days and 24 hours of climbing, she completed it on Tuesday.

To honour her mum and help raise funds for cancer research, Laura Duane decided to hike Mount Kerinci, the highest active volcano in Indonesia.

Back in June, Ms Duane and her partner, Clint, flew to the island of Sumatra to commemorate her late mother’s birthday.

A few days ago, the pair set off on their mountain mission with 20kg packs on their backs and no local guide to help them navigate.

“Because we did it on our own, we needed to carry enough food, water and camping gear for the whole trip,” she said.

Ms Duane also stated the pair had to remain “on the lookout for the wild Sumatran tiger” throughout the hike.

The journey up and down Mount Kerinci, seven kilometres each way through a mix of thick jungle and rocky terrain, is no small feat.

On the first day, Ms Duane and Clint climbed for nine straight hours from the base at 1700m elevation to a shelter on the mountainside at 3000m.

“It took even longer than we expected because I started suffering really bad altitude sickness,” Ms Duane said.

Laura Duane on the 14km hike up and down Mount Kerinci in Indonesia.

After snagging a few hours of sleep, the couple hiked a further two kilometres through volcanic, rocky terrain in the dark, to reach the summit at 3805m just after sunrise.

Once they’d taken in the stunning views, Ms Duane and Clint headed back down the volcano.

Including their early-morning climb to the summit and their seven-kilometre descent, they hiked for 15 hours on the second day.

“It was so, so challenging,” Ms Duane said.

“It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

“But I also remind myself that it’s a privilege to choose to take on a challenge like this.

“My struggle is temporary. Others do not get the privilege of choice.

“I just hope my mum would’ve been proud of me for what I’ve done.”

Ms Duane and her boyfriend, Clint, at the summit of the volcano.

Ms Duane hopes her hiking efforts will inspire people to donate to her GoFundMe and the three charities she intends to split proceeds between.

The first 34 per cent of the funds will go to Cancer Research UK, “inspired by my mum, my Uncle Ronnie, my Aunty Dee and my incredible friend Faith, who is currently fighting, and also fundraising, for Cancer Research UK herself,” she said.

33 per cent will go to the International Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping those affected by cancer in low and middle income countries, and the remaining 33% will go to a local Indonesian organisation Ms Duane is yet to select.

“This is the thing I feel most passionate about,” she said.

“I’m so grateful for all the support so far.

“It seems like this has touched a lot of hearts.”

Originally published as Laura Duane honours late mum with Mount Kerinci climb for cancer research