An upcoming HERA Climb for Life event at Smith Rock State Park, the fundraiser for ovarian cancer research and treatment discussed in Tuesday’s ”Rockin’ against cancer” on Page D1, is geared toward women and men of all ability levels.

However, climbers taking part must know how to top-rope belay to assist other climbers. Volunteers will set up the various climbing routes at Smith Rock, lead belay, and clean the routes of gear once climbing on a particular route has concluded for the day. Those who do not wish to wear a helmet must sign a helmet waiver.

The event will kick off Friday, May 12, with participant check-in from 3 to 6 p.m. at Red Point Climbers Supply, 8283 11th St. in Terrebonne, followed by a climbers’ party at the Terrebonne Depot restaurant from 7 to 9 p.m.

Participants will climb from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in small groups with professional climbers and volunteer climbers on Saturday.

Free massages and a party with dinner and live music at Smith Rock Barn from 6 to 9 p.m. will follow climbing. Guests of climbers are asked to donate $10 for food costs.

A light breakfast for all participants and volunteers, and a gear raffle for those who raised $500 or more for the HERA Foundation, will take place Sunday at 9 a.m., also at the Smith Rock Barn.

Professional climbers at the event will be Steph Davis and Dean Potter, who divide their time between Moab, Utah and near Yosemite National Park in California, and Chris Lindner of Ramona, Calif.

Among Davis’ big-wall, solo, freestyle and alpine-style climbing accomplishments is becoming the second woman to free climb a route on El Capitan in Yosemite in one day. Potter, her husband, also boasts a long list of freestyle, solo, speed and big-wall climbing feats, including his 2001 world speed record with Timmy O’Neill climbing the nose of El Capitan in three hours, 24 minutes.

By the age of 6, Lindner’s resume included red-pointing routes – climbing from the bottom to the top of a route on lead without resting or using gear to assist in the ascent, with prior knowledge or attempts on the route – with a difficulty rating of 5.12 on a scale of 5.0 to 5.16.

Cost to register for the event is $50, which includes a bag with prizes worth more than $40. Space is limited.

To register, to be a volunteer or for information on the event, or for information about ovarian cancer support or how to donate, go to www.climb4lifesmith.kintera.org or www.herafoundation.org.

Or contact Stephanie Manzo at 350-7633 or stephmanzo@yahoo.com.