Vancouver, BC – Rob Hill has reached the South Summit of Mount Everest and achieved his goal of being the first Canadian with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) to reach the top of the highest mountain on each of the seven continents.  Rob suffers from Crohn’s disease, a painful condition affecting the digestive system.  Crohn’s, along with ulcerative colitis, affects more than 200,000 Canadians, and currently there is no cure.

Prior to his diagnosis in 1994 at the age of 23, Rob lived a very healthy and active life.  At the onset of his symptoms, his life was put on hold. Everyday tasks such as climbing stairs became impossible, and as a result, Rob had his large intestine removed, and received an ostomy. Through sheer determination, the help of a new treatment plan, and support of his family and friends, Rob learned to manage his disease and re-immerse himself in activities such as running and climbing. In addition, he made it his mission to not only overcome his disease, but to show others that having IBD doesn’t have to control their lives.

A life-long athlete and climber, Rob decided to take on the ultimate challenge: to climb the highest mountains on each of the seven continents.  Rob embarked on the No Guts Know Glory Seven Summits Campaign and started his journey by climbing Russia’s Mount Elbrus. He saw the campaign as a way to raise awareness for the highly stigmatized disease. Rob recalls, “I wanted to show people with IBD that they didn’t have to let the disease limit their dreams and ambitions. I wanted to do something that would inspire others to come out from the shadows, and show the world that having something like Crohn’s disease doesn’t have to hold them back.”

Rob then went on to conquer Chili’s Aconcagua, Alaska’s Denali, Antarctica’s Vonson Massif, Indonesia’s Carstenz Pyramid, Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro, and finally, Nepal’s Everest.

Battling high winds and uncertain weather, the last leg of Rob’s journey was not easy. “I am incredibly happy to finish my No Guts Know Glory 7Summits campaign,” says Rob. “Mount Everest proved to live up to its challenging reputation, and at times seemed nearly impossible to climb.  I hope my summit shows people living with IBD that it doesn’t have to stop you. I hope they find the courage and determination to climb the mountains in their lives.” After spending more than 80 hours above 8,000 meters, and facing exhaustion, Rob succeeded in reaching the South Summit.  To honour his incredible journey, the Nepalese government has awarded Rob with an official Everest summit certification.

Clinton Shard, a young Crohn’s patient from Squamish, BC accompanied Rob to Everest base camp. “I am so proud of Rob and the amazing journey he has taken us on,” Clinton says. “Growing up with IBD made having a ‘normal’ childhood really challenging, and there were months where I struggled with my disease. Meeting Rob made me realize how strong and capable I really was. His vision and determination makes him an incredible role model, and I know that his legacy will inspire kids with IBD for years to come.”

When Rob returns, he looks forward to sharing stories from his recent climb, and spreading the word about the campaign.  For more information on upcoming events, visit http://www.nogutsknowglory.com/, home of the “No Guts Know Glory” blog, or follow Rob on twitter at @weneedideas.

About Inflammatory Bowel Disease

IBD is a painful condition that causes the intestines to become inflamed, form sores, bleed easily, scar and lose the normal smoothness of their inner lining. IBD includes two similar yet distinct conditions, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD typically strikes people in childhood or the prime of their lives, when they are actively pursuing an education or starting a career.