INSPIRATIONAL CLIMB JOIN STARS IN HIKE FOR BREAST-CANCER RESEARCH.

Byline: CARLEY DRYDEN

>LA.COM 

The Santa Monica Mountains seem an unlikely place to fraternize with soap opera, reality TV and movie stars with The Ivy, Les Deux and other star hangouts open for business.

Indeed, the old-Western style dilapidated shacks and makeshift saloons of Paramount Ranch in Agoura are a far cry from the colossal Beverly Hills mansions and high-tech setups in which noteworthy actors are used to spending their 9-to-5s.

But on Oct. 13, hikers of all renown will swarm the filming location (think "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman," "Gunsmoke" and "The Cisco Kid") for the 12th annual Take-a-Hike Los Angeles, which raises money for breast cancer research. Proceeds go to a local institution, with this year's beneficiary being the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Take-a-Hike is the largest fundraising event of the year for Expedition Inspiration, a breast cancer research fund started by Laura Evans, a breast cancer survivor who climbed Argentina's Mount Aconcagua -- the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere -- raising $2 million for early research in the process.

"Laura was an extraordinary visionary and wanted to do outdoor excursions for awareness," said Teri Roseman, chairwoman of Take-a-Hike Los Angeles. "But there had to be a peak."

Roseman was the largest individual fundraiser for the event before she was diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer in 2003.

"That year, I raised twice what I had raised before because it became something I had dealt with," she said. Last year, Roseman raised $10,000.

Shannon Tweed, actress and longtime partner of Kiss frontman Gene Simmons; her 14-year-old daughter, Sophie Tweed-Simmons; and CCH Pounder of FX's "The Shield" will host Take-a-Hike. Christina Chambers and Farah Fath of "One Life to Live," Catherine Dent of "The Shield" and plastic surgeon to the stars Dr. Frank Ryan will be among those coming out for some physical fitness.

"We got involved through Dr. Ryan, who did my face-lift," said Tweed, referring to the surgery performed on an episode of her A&E reality show, "Gene Simmons Family Jewels." "I thought it was a good idea for Sophie. You're never too young for awareness and to do self-exams."

Roseman acknowledged the importance of teens believing in a cause and going out to support it.

"My own stepdaughter has gotten involved since my sickness and raised $500," she said.

Soap star Chambers has been involved with the event for years. In college, Chambers heard the four words all women dread.

" 'We found a lump,' " Chambers recalled of the doctors' discovery, which turned out to be benign. "I want to make sure fewer and fewer women have to hear those words."

Chambers walks with a close friend and cancer survivor.

"My friend was mad her body couldn't do what it used to," she said. "But these are easy goals for the survivors."

Tweed emphasized the importance of the cause; one in eight women is diagnosed with breast cancer.

"When cancer strikes, it strikes the whole family, not just the victim," Tweed said. "It is inspirational because there are survivors there (at the hike) and people who hope to never get it there. It's hard to keep from crying when you see people with names on the back of their shirts" representing people who have been diagnosed with or who have died from the disease.

After the hikes, participants can enjoy food, live music by Unkle Monkey and prizes. Booths will be set up to provide information on prevention of breast cancer, exercise and nutrition.

Tweed said she and Sophie will be involved with the cause for years to come and hope to get Gene to walk with them next year.

Tweed recalled a child who, as part of the Make-a-Wish Foundation, met her and her husband while they were filming their reality show.

"He is 9 years old and has cancer," she said. "Cancer is cancer, research is research. So let's get on the ball."

Carley Dryden [phone], Ext. 380

[e-mail]

12TH ANNUAL EXPEDITION INSPIRATION TAKE-A-HIKE

When: Oct. 13. Opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m.; beginning, intermediate and advanced hikes starting at 9 a.m.

Wher: Paramount Ranch, Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, 2903 Cornell Road, Agoura.Cost: $25 advance, $30 at the event (beginning at 7:30 a.m.) with proceeds benefiting the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Information: [phone], www.expeditioninspiration.org.

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(1 -- 2) Actresses Christina Chambers, left, and Farah Fath, both of "One Life to Live," will show their support for the Take-a-Hike breast-cancer fundraiser.

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