Women in men’s world of mountaineering?

Thanks to the hard work of our predecessors challenging the status quo, more women today have the freedom and opportunity to get involved in the mountaineering. However, gender inequality still exists. To help close the gender gap, we can encourage more women to get involved, recognise women who are pushing the boundaries of the sport and create a supportive/inclusive environment for all!

Read on to discover some notable and inspiring women in the world of mountaineering and rock climbing:

Maya Sherpa

“Physically, women may be a bit weaker. But if you’re mentally strong, this doesn’t matter.”

Maya was the first Nepali woman to climb Ama Dablem. She is a professional climber and female role model who has scaled Mount Everest 3 times, K2 as a mother/wife!.¹

As the Vice President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, she wants to take care of all climbers, not just for the women. Yet she acknowledges the importance of giving other women an example of what’s possible by sharing experiences and giving other women advice. In her opinion, breaking stereotypes in no easy feat but the rewards are worth it!

Hilaree Nelson

Hilaree Nelson is a ski mountaineer and was awarded national geographic adventurer of the year, 2018.² She has a refreshing take on the benefits of risk:

“You have to take risks if you want to learn anything about yourself, we want to expand the self-imposed walls we put around ourselves. I think that is what’s interesting to me about our species is if we can do that. And that’s how we move forward, create things, have ideas is by taking risks, being a little different or being passionate about something.”

“It’s not always what we achieve that defines us, rather it is why we achieve such things that creates clarity in our existence.“

Sasha digiulian

Sasha is a professional female rock climber (yes, they do exist!). Sasha is big on encourage the next generation of female climbers:

“If you see a woman who’s done something, there’s this inspiration: if she can do it, I can too.” ³

Shauna Coxsey

The most successful competitive climber in British history!⁴

“I feel honoured that I can inspire people and get them to pick up their climbing shoes and find that passion. I remember going to the climbing wall and it being rare to see other women. Now it is so popular. And what people use climbing for has changed, too. Once, it was a lifestyle that attracted only a certain group of people. Now people see climbing and bouldering as a way to keep fit and socialise. And what makes it unusual is that everyone goes to the same place to train, the same climbing walls, from beginners to elite climbers, all climbing routes beside each other.”

Hazel Findlay

Hazel was the first British women to climb an E9 trad route and has also free climbed El Capitan.⁵ She is only 5’2” and not particularly light, demonstrating that climbing is not all down to body physique!

Annie Smith Peck (1850-1935)

Annie was an accomplished mountaineer, author, academic and feminist.⁶ It seems ridiculous now, but back 1895 Annie was almost arrested wearing pants during her ascent of the Matterhorn! Thankfully, during the NZ trip I was able to wear my favourite Arc’teryx pants, without being questioned 🙂

Arlene Blum

Named as one of the World’s 100 Most inspiring women, Arlene led the first American and all-women’s ascent of Annapurna. Her book Breaking trail: a climbing life is recommended for anyone who aspires to lead others to greatness!⁷

Lhakpa Sherpa

“I want to show the world I can do it. I want to show women who look like me that they can do it, too.“

Lhakpa was the first Nepalese women to summit Everest and has done so 9 times now!⁸ Despite her impressive track record, Lhakpa still has no support team or sponsorships. “If there weren’t any Sherpas, it is likely that nobody could climb Everest.” Lhakpa’s story is a stark reminder that diversity and privilege misuse are also challenges that the outdoor community faces.

Maria LC

For me, the most inspirational people are those that we are surrounded by. It was great to have some female company on the NZ mountaineering trip, but it is true that the gender distribution of NZ mountaineering trip participants (25% women) is an accurate representation of UNSWOC involvement – females are still in the minority. However, as demonstrated by Maria and many other UNSWOC members, there are no limits as to what female members can achieve. Hopefully this will inspire more women to get involved in the club and the outdoors! The dream is for female outdoor enthusiasts become the norm, not the exception 🙂

#beinspiredbeinspiring

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