158 mountains in 158 days: Tasmanian man takes one mammoth challenge

A Tasmanian man will climb 158 mountains over 158 days to raise funds for the Cancer Council. HIS STORY. >>

A Tasmanian man will climb 158 mountains in 158 days, in an effort to raise much needed funds for the Cancer Council.

Lewis Taylor has committed to climbing abels, mountains which are higher than 1100 metres and features drops on all sides of 150 metres.

He said 158 of the mountains in Tasmania met the criteria, vowing to climb them all.

Mr Taylor was inspired by his mother

“I first thought I might hike around the State for a year and promote Tasmanian businesses,” Mr Taylor said.

“But while I was planning that, my mum’s breast cancer returned after she was six years recovered.

“Apart from being by her side, I began to think about how I could turn this into a fundraiser for cancer.”

Tasmanian adventurer Lewi Taylor will begin his attempt to climb the 158 Tasman's (Tasmanian mountains over 1100 metres) in 158 days... the current record is two years. Lewi is hoping to finish on June 10th 2022. He is aiming to raise $158,000 for Cancer Council Tasmania. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

His mother has fully recovered but he’s hoping to raise $158,000, $1000 for each climb, for the Cancer Council.

“I am training as much as I can, running and doing practice hikes. I am also doing a supply hike to Federation Peak over Christmas, leaving food there for when I hike the Arthurs East to West, Mr Taylor said.

The challenge began on Tuesday, with Mr Taylor taking on Mt Wellington to kick off the challenge.

The current record for the challengeis currently held by Zane Robrik who completed it in two and a half years.

Cancer Council Tasmania CEO Penny Egan said the effort was extraordinary.

“This is just another example of how everyday Tasmanians, affected by cancer, reach out to help others,” she said.

“Every Tasmanian has a cancer story – for many of us, we have multiple stories.

The challenge wraps up on June 10.