Isabelle, one of our 2024 Summit Scholarship recipients, is a budding mountaineer who is ready to connect with a community of like-minded and motivated climbers. It all started with an impromptu summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and a fond appreciation for the simplicity of life on the mountain. Isabelle relished the moments to connect with locals from Tanzania as well as climbers from all over the world, she stood in awe of the various ecosystems as she ascended the mountain, and she gained strength through her team as they took on challenges together. As Isabelle shares, “I was hooked.” But like most things in life, there are barriers, roadblocks, and even our own imposter syndrome to overcome. Isabelle’s journey from Mount Kilimanjaro to Mount Baker hasn’t always been straightforward, but it’s had more than a few supreme highlights, like climbing in Red Rocks with mentor Ashley Favestein. Isabell has certainly learned a thing or two along the way, from a humbling climb on New Mexico’s Wheeler Peak to navigating medical hurdles, and welcomed those as new opportunities to grow and learn. We had the opportunity to get to know Isabelle a little better, and she is an absolute inspiration. Click the link in our bio to read the full blog and enjoy getting to know Isabelle. 📸 Isabelle Riddle #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
Tash, one of our 2024 Summit Scholarship recipients, is a rock climber from Miami, Florida, who is also a self-proclaimed wanderer. The first time they experienced the mountains, it was love at first sight. Tash felt it in their bones, and since then, it’s captivated and filled their life with joy. After those first moments with the vast wilderness, Tash has gone on to climb Mount Shasta and dreamed of more, but as you can probably guess, living in Miami has its pros and cons when it comes to mountaineering. But, if there’s one thing that Tash knows about, it’s overcoming barriers. At the age of 18, Tash was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, which can limit their bodily movements at times when their body is under stress. Since then, they’ve worked to spread awareness to encourage others with chronic illnesses to say a big “fu*k you” and stick to their passions. And now, we get to celebrate Tash, who will be continuing to follow their own passions in New England’s backcountry with fellow wanderers. We had the opportunity to get to know Tash a little better, and goodness, you don’t want to miss these stories and thoughts in her blog. Click the link in our bio to read the full blog and enjoy getting to know Tash. 📸 Tash Orellanos #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
As you've probably caught on, the Summit Scholarship is supported by some incredible brands. What you might not know is that the Summit Scholarship is also supported by also have some spectacular individuals like Jeannette McGill from McGills Mountains (@mcgills_mountains). When Jeannette first approached us about supporting the Summit Scholarship Foundation, we were beyond ecstatic. She was the first South African woman to summit Manaslu (26,781ft), and her mountaineering organization focuses on mountain leadership and mentoring in Africa. We knew that with Jeannette's support we could open up the Summit Scholarship to an even boarder community in Africa. That takes us to 2022, when we launched our first partner scholarship in tandem with McGills Mountains and thus began our scholarships specifically for women from Africa. Today, our partnership continues, and we are honored to offer one scholarship for the third year in a row for an African woman mountaineer to climb in Peru's Cordillera Blanca. If you're interested in finding out more about McGills Mountains, head over to @mcgills_mountains 💕 #AWESummitScholarship #McGillsMountains #africa #africanmountaineers #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
Carly, a 2024 Summit Scholarship recipient, hails from Seattle, Washington, where she studies at the University of Washington. Last summer, Carly honored her late father by signing up for a team climb on the ionic Mount Rainier. After scraping together enough money to join a guided expedition, Carly (much to her surprise) was placed on a team comprised of only male guides and climbers. After successfully summiting Rainier, Carly walked away with an unshakable and deepened love for mountaineering and independently pushing her limits, which Carly has been doing since she first loaded up a heavy backpacking pack at the age of 12. But she yearned for more; she yearned for strong female representation and companionship in the mountains. Now, as a freshman in college, Carly has continued to spread her love for mountaineering to the women in her life and has continued challenging herself to find a women-centric community in the climbing and mountaineering world. We invite you to get to know Carly a little better by heading to the link in our bio to read her full blog! 📸 Carly Dykes #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
Our goal at the Summit Scholarship Foundation is simple—gender equity on and off the mountain. When the Summit Scholarship Foundation was originally created, our aim was to break down barriers for women in the big mountain realm. But as a community, we knew that gender equity was truly at the heart of our work so we pushed ourselves to evolve. Today, we are proud to provide scholarships for all marginalized genders, including women and non-cis genders. We believe that regardless of your gender, you should be able to access transformative outdoor experiences and feel the empowerment that comes when you step foot on some of the biggest mountains and deepest canyons. If this resonates with you, we hope you join us. Give this post a double tap, or maybe even share it with a friend. If you want to continue your support, check out our website, and let's continue to break down barriers on and off the mountain. #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
In the highlands of Kenya, amidst the vibrant rhythms of Nairobi, Margie’s love for the mountains blossomed. From the rolling hills of her homeland to the towering peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro, her journey as a mountaineer has been one of passion, perseverance, and breaking boundaries. Now, as she reflects on her experience with the Australian Alpine Academy’s all-women expedition to Mount Kosciuszko, Margie’s story echoes the transformative power of adventure and friendship in the backcountry. Learn more about Margie’s journey last summer in our latest blog: Forging New Paths: Margie’s Journey from Kenya to the Australian Alpine. 📸 @margiegathungu Click the link in our bio to access. #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
In 2024, we were able to offer 13 scholarships to 13 incredible humans. But the truth is, more than 500 absolutely inspiring humans from all over the world applied for a scholarship with the Summit Scholarship Foundation. Our goal is simple: we want to continue to uplift each and every one of you. So today, we want to share a resource that was shared with us (thank you, former Summit Scholarship recipient Rachel @opalis121) in hopes that it might continue to inspire you to dream big and reach for your mountaineering and adventure goals. The Outdoor Inclusivity Project (@theoutdoorinclusivityproject) wants to help you get outdoors and they've got a mighty impressive scholarship list and do frequent posts sharing opportunities. Their comprehensive scholarship list is in their bio, and it is a great resource for anyone who skis, hikes, guides, bikes, and more. #summitscholarship #AWEsummitscholarship #outdoors #diversifyoutdoors #diversifyoutside #BIPOC #scholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
Stunner of a spring day for a couple of laps in Winter Park’s Cirque. The Alphabet Chutes and Heart of Darkness were perfect. #winterpark #maryjane #colorado #skiing #ski #coloradophotographer #coloradophotography #coloradophotographs #coloradophotographers #coloradogram #coloradoliving #mountains #mountainliving #mountainlife #powder #ski #rockymountains #rockymountainhigh #strafeouterwear #getoutstayout #alpine #winter #protectourwinters #coloradolife #bigmtndreams #coloradoskiing #springbreak #alpine #flylow #flylowgear #springskiing
This year, each and every applicant, supporter, and sponsor showed up for the AWE Summit Scholarship Foundation. In 2024, we saw nearly 700 applications from fifty-one different countries representing adventurers from ages 15 to 71 years old. So this March, when the AWE Summit Scholarship Foundation sat down to select only 13 scholarship recipients, we were faced once again with the equally exciting and gut-wrenching task of reviewing all of your strong and compelling words. There is no doubt that everyone who applied is deserving of this scholarship and we want all of you to know how much we appreciate you applying and making your voice heard. Thank you, again, from the entire AWE Summit Scholarship Foundation. Today is a big day. We are announcing and celebrating the 13 individuals who have been selected to be part of our 2024 Summit Scholarship cohort. These adventurers come from various corners of the world, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Pakistan, and the USA. They also come from all walks of life, with individuals who identify as non-binary, Muslim, and everything in between. 2024 is one of our most diverse cohorts to date, and we couldn’t have done it without all of your applications and the support of our community. With no further ado, allow us to introduce you to our Summit Scholarships Class of 2024. The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill’s Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! If you want to support the Summit Scholarship, you can find a link to donate in our bio. Thank you to all of our supporters, far and wide, including you! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
I had read that this place only sees a few hundred visitors a year, but I had a hard time believing it… As we started to look for info to plan this adventure, I understood why. We had to read old blog posts, use JF’s orienteering skills to map the points we wanted to see in advance, play phone tag to get a permit (that we ended up getting from a nice lady’s house at 8:30 pm on the reservation on Friday night…). This place will make you work for it, but this will only make it sweeter. We didn’t see a soul all day. We could not stop shaking our heads as we explored yet another point on the map, each one more spectacular than the last. It’s a true gem like we’ve rarely seen before. We’re still in awe that places like this still exist. Unspoiled. Let’s keep it this way. *Coal Mine Canyon is located on the border between the Hopi and Navajo Reservations and a permit is required to visit the canyon, but it is not available from the Navajo Parks & Recreation office in Cameron as it used to be but at the elusive new Local Chapter…
Happy International Women’s Day! 🎉 It’s been more than fifty years since the passage of Title IX, and women’s sports and women’s outdoor sports are still lagging. But why? Let’s dive into the importance of gender equity in the big mountains with our Summit Scholarship recipients from 2023. “Increasing female representation both on and off the mountain is imperative to dismantling perceived stereotypes of women as subordinates of men.” - Char “It is so hard to have confidence in an expedition when not many women or communities are represented. Everyone deserves to have confidence in their goals, and I believe that this will occur if barriers are broken.” - Callie “It is important for me to have this experience with other women so we can all be powerful because when women are in mixed-gender environments, they can be silenced.” - Ava “To me, gender equity is a matter of social justice–promoting equal rights and opportunities for people of all genders. Gender equity on the mountain is crucial; in society, women are often doubted and seen as inferior compared to males.” - Mendo “Regularly getting mistaken for a +1 or being asked where the rest of my group was is exhausting. I want the mountains to be a place where everyone can experience the beauty that’s out there without barriers, and so far, gender equity continues to lag behind.” - Alyssa “Gender equity on and off the mountain is synonymous with the very basics of humanity. We all exist on this planet and therefore deserve equal opportunities to be safe and flourish in all the spaces we wish to venture into.” - Thale “Gender equity is embodied by the phrase, we rise by lifting others. Over the years, society and cultural upbringing have made women doubt their capabilities and put us in a ‘box’ that we should look and talk in a certain way, do ‘easier’ jobs, hold certain roles, earn certain levels of income, play ‘safer’ sports, etc.” - Maggy Continued in the comments…
Gear partners are a huge piece of the Summit Scholarship puzzle. Yes, getting more women and gender-diverse adventurers into the mountains is one thing, but getting them GEARED UP to be in the mountains is the other huge piece of what we do at the Summit Scholarship Foundation. Our ask ➡️ go and support these best-in-class organizations, brands, and inspiring humans and know that they, in turn, support all of us! A huge shout out and a heartfelt thank you to: ❤️ Nite Ize (@niteize) ❤️ LOWA Boots (@lowaboots) ❤️ Leki (@lekiusa) ❤️ Skratch Labs (@skratchlabs) ❤️ Deuter (@deuter_usa) ❤️ Fjallraven (@fjallravenofficial) Here's to many more years of adventure scholarships, top-notch gear, and mission-aligned partnerships! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
Teamwork makes the dream work! Meet the Board Members behind the AWE Summit Scholarship Foundation, who are also the ones overseeing our Summit Scholarship recipient selection process. 👉🏼 Alex @alexandramariagarcia_, Jane of all trades and motivator extraordinaire. 👉🏼 Alison @alison.m.wright, our non-profit and adventure empowerment expert. 👉🏼 Tana @hikintana, our project and event mastermind with a passion for conservation. 👉🏼 Jaimes (not on Instagram!), the behind-the-scenes mover on all things gender equity. 👉🏼 Farah @farahstack, climate justice champion and 2021 Summit Scholarship recipient. 👉🏼 Sunny @sstroeer, our founder and Executive Director. It takes a village to climb a mountain, and, in this case, it takes a passionate team to create the Summit Scholarship year after year. We are thankful for this powerhouse team that helps to bring our mountain dreams to life. #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
Fiscal partners are what make the Summit Scholarship happen. And oh my goodness, we have some INCREDIBLE partners who have been supporting our scholarship program this year. Our ask ➡️ go and support these best-in-class organizations, brands, and inspiring humans and know that they, in turn, support all of us! A huge shout out and a heartfelt thank you to: ❤️ Nite Ize (@niteize) ❤️ LOWA Boots (@lowaboots) ❤️ The Cairn Project (@thecairnproject) ❤️ McGill's Mountains (@mcgills_mountains) ❤️ Lucy Westlake (@whatsnextlucy) ❤️ All The Sky Foundation (@alltheskyfoundation) ❤️ Janet Schlindwein (@orizaba2014) Here's to many more years of adventure scholarships, top-notch gear, and mission-aligned partnerships! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
Get your game face ready! We are one month away from announcing our 2024 Summit Scholarship recipients. Drop a comment below 👇🏽 with the expedition or adventure you are most excited about. Here's a rundown of where are recipients will be headed: 🇺🇸 Grand Canyon 🇺🇸 New England 🇺🇸 Mount Baker 🇵🇪 Cordillera Blanca 🇦🇷 Aconcagua 📍 Aconcagua, 360 Route 🥾 Rachel, 2022 Recipient The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill’s Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! If you want to support the Summit Scholarship, you can find a link to donate in our bio. Thank you to all of our supporters, far and wide, including you! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
Basin days #arapahoebasin #colorado #skiing #ski #coloradophotographer #coloradophotography #coloradophotographs #coloradophotographers #coloradogram #coloradoliving #mountains #mountainliving #mountainlife #powder #ski #rockymountains #rockymountainhigh #strafeouterwear #getoutstayout #alpine #winter #protectourwinters #coloradolife #bigmtndreams #coloradoskiing
In the heart of the Pacific Northwest stands the 10,786-foot summit of Komo Kulshan, or Mount Baker. This awe-inspiring peak is a challenge for even the most seasoned mountaineers. However daunting, this mountain became a classroom for Ava, one of our inaugural youth participants with the Summit Scholarship Foundation. As Ava climbed, an unforgettable journey unfolded alongside peers and fellow women mountaineers. Learn more about Ava’s journey last spring in our latest blog: Shepherding in the Next Generation of Mountaineers: Ava Keniston. 📸 @avak_lol756 Click the link in our bio to access. #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
We've got a new Basecamp Clinic on the books and we are headed back to the land down under: Australia! 🇦🇺 We've developed a unique itinerary, design for bucket list travelers that will get you into the backcountry of the Snowy Mountains while also carving out enough time for some epic front country adventures like hugging koalas, climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and more! Here's what's on deck for this Basecamp Clinic (including how to say, Mount Kosciuszko) ➜ Alpine safety ➜ Snow camping ➜ Crampon techniques ➜ Self-arrest training ➜ Climbing efficiency techniques ➜ Knots, hitches and rope craft ➜ Glacier travel with sleds ➜ Ice climbing (if possible) ➜ Rappelling ➜ Snow anchors & protection Wow! That's one incredible line-up of skills with an equally incredible trip to Australia. If you're wondering if this course and climb is for you, please note that no mountaineering experience is necessary. You need to be a proficient hiker, ideally with experience backpacking. If you want to learn more, head to the link in our bio! Need a little more inspiration? Keep scrolling our photos from last year's course and climb ➡️👀❤️ 📍 Mount Kosciuszko, Australia #ReadySetAWE #MountKosciuszko #Australia #SevenSummits #climbforequality #bigmtndreams #mountaineering #womenempoweringwomen #exploremore #womenofmountaineering #forceofnature #alpinism
Swipe to check out our Summit Scholarship timeline ➡️ We will be announcing the recipients for our 2024 Summit Scholarships on March 15th, so stay tuned to see who will be climbing, hiking, and adventuring with us! The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill’s Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
Ready for a trek around Peru's 12th-highest peak? What if we said it is also a sacred peak? If you visit Cusco and the region surrounding Machu Picchu, you might hear Salkantay referred to as 'Apu' Salkantay, which means god or deity in Quechuan (the language of the Quechua, or indigenous peoples of South America). Apu was a term coined during the Inca Empire, and it was used to describe the spirits of mountains and prominent rocks that protected the local people. Ancient Peruvians saw the mountains, including Salkantay, as powerful forces, a belief that is still held today. While some people take on the challenge of summiting this 6,271 meter (20,574 feet) peak, we will take in the sights of this ancient godly peak from the comfort of the Salkantay Trek. This 10-day trek offers up unparalleled views of Humantay Lagoon and, of course, the snowy peak of Apu Salkantay. Click the link in our bio to learn more! #ReadySetAWE #MachuPicchu #Peru #Salkantay #SalkantayTrek #bigmtndreams #climbforequality #womenwhohike #shemovesmountains #alpinsim #ThePowerOfAWE
The Summit Scholarship applications are officially closed, and we are blown away by all of your applications and amplifications. With your support and courage, we've been able to reach folks from all walks of life. This year, we received applications from fifty-one countries representing ages 15 to 71 years old - a testament to all of you. ❤️ Thank you to everyone who applied. By making your voice heard, you will continue to empower countless others. ❤️ Thank you to everyone who shared this opportunity. By sharing, you create a welcoming environment for adventurers from all walks of life. ❤️ Thank you to everyone who supports our work. Your support means we can provide more opportunities for marginalized communities in the big mountain and backcountry realms. We cannot wait to find out who this year's Summit Scholarship recipients are, and introduce them to all of you. In the meantime, we have work to do reading your incredible applications! The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill’s Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
It’s here! 🎉🏔️❤️ Applications for the Summit Scholarship will officially close tonight at 11:59 pm MST. Our goal at the Summit Scholarship Foundation is simple. We aim to break down barriers to entry into the big mountain realm for women, young women, and gender-diverse adventurers. We do this in two ways: 👉🏽 Through our annual Summit Scholarship. We are proud to provide funding for folks from all walks of life to participate in backpacking trips, mountaineering courses, and high-altitude expeditions. 👉🏽 By amplifying stories of marginalized communities in the high mountains and remote backcountry. We are honored to share the stories of our scholarship recipients, their expeditions, and the countless others breaking the glass ceiling in the big mountain realm. By applying to the Summit Scholarship, you join us in our efforts to break down barriers. Your application helps to show the mountaineering world that all of us have a place on the summit, in the backcountry, and in the high alpine world. Ready to apply? Head to the link in our bio! The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill’s Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
A gorgeous 70° hike near Boulder on Feb 1st #bouldercolorado #flatirons #boulderlife #denverlife #hikingcolorado #eldoradosprings #eldoradocanyon #colorado #coloradophotographer #coloradophotography #coloradophotographs #coloradophotographers #coloradogram #coloradoliving #mountains #mountainliving #mountainlife #rockymountains #rockymountainhigh #getoutstayout #winter #summer #protectourwinters #coloradolife #bigmtndreams #coloradohiking #hiking #summervibes #frontrange
Deadline extended: TWO MORE DAYS. “If I can dream it, I can achieve it.” - wise words from Summit Scholarship alumna @farahhhstack So what are you waiting for? Dream that dream, and let’s climb that mountain! 💪🏼 The Summit Scholarship is specifically designed to break down barriers of entry to the big mountain realm for women, young women, and gender-diverse adventurers. If you’re ready to trek in the biggest mountains, deepest canyons, and wildest forests but need help finding a path to get there, this scholarship program is for you! Applications will officially close on February 2 at 11:59 pm MST. The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill’s Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
Lake Isabelle in late June… #backpacking #hikingcolorado #alpinelakes #indianpeaks #colorado #coloradophotographer #coloradophotography #coloradophotographs #coloradophotographers #coloradogram #coloradoliving #mountains #mountainliving #mountainlife #rockymountains #rockymountainhigh #indianpeakwilderness #alpinelakes #crestoneneedle #getoutstayout #alpine #summer #protectourwinters #coloradolife #bigmtndreams #coloradohiking #hiking #backpacking #camping #summervibes #frontrange #flyfishing
Today is the day! 🏔️💪🏽✨ Applications for the Summit Scholarship are due tonight by 11:59 pm MST. This year, we are proud to offer nearly $55,000 worth of mountaineering & adventure stipends for folks from all walks of life. There are 13 different scholarships for backpacking trips, mountaineering courses, and high-altitude expeditions that could take you to Arizona, New England, Washington, Peru, or Argentina. 👉🏽 For the first time, we are offering scholarships for gender-diverse adventurers (18 and up), including transfeminine, transmasculine, queer, non-binary, Two-Spirit, gender fluid, and beyond, in partnership with @theventureoutproject. 👉🏽 Returning this year, we are offering scholarships for young women (14 and up) and women (18 and up) from Africa in partnership with @awexpeditions 👉🏽 And as always, we have scholarships for women (18 and up) in partnership with @awexpeditions. Ready to apply? Head to the link 🔗 in our bio and join us on the trail! The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill’s Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
Tent view under the Crestone Needle years ago… #backpacking #colorado #coloradophotographer #coloradophotography #coloradophotographs #coloradophotographers #coloradogram #coloradoliving #mountains #mountainliving #mountainlife #rockymountains #rockymountainhigh #14ers #alpinelakes #crestoneneedle #getoutstayout #alpine #summer #protectourwinters #coloradolife #bigmtndreams #coloradohiking #hiking #backpacking #camping #summervibes
🏔️ ATTENTION! 🏔️ The @summitscholarshipfoundation applications for 2023 are due tomorrow! Applications will close tomorrow (1/31) at 11:59 pm MST. Submit your application today for a chance to climb in Peru, Washington, Arizona, New England, and Argentina. We have supported the Summit Scholarship since the start of the program in 2019 because they provide amazing experiences for women and gender diverse adventurers to get into high altitude realms around the world. We just published a great guest blog about one of their recent expeditions which you can find through the link in our bio and you can apply through @summitscholarshipfoundation’s link in bio! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen https://bit.ly/3HGksRY
As you may have gleaned from our values, we think that mountaineering and big adventures are so much more than stamina, strength, and technical skills. As we mentioned last week, for us, it's equal parts technical prowess and community empowerment. That’s why there are two distinct roles on all of our expeditions: the Head Guide and the Expedition Leader. ⛰️ The Expedition Leader ⛰️ is your main point of contact from the moment you start your expedition to when you arrive back home. They are the culture carrier for your team and will host your welcome dinner, final team celebration, and proactively help you navigate not just the local environment but likely also the many second-generation gender biases we tend to encounter in the mountains. 🌎 The Head Guide 🌎 No matter the location of a climb or adventure, AWE always partners with a carefully vetted, top-notch local guide organization to ensure that our team members (you!) benefit from the local guides’ in-depth knowledge of route conditions and seasonal changes. Their home field is on the trails and on the slopes – which you may not always see your Head Guide during the town-based days of your expedition itinerary. But regardless of the guide's leadership position on the expedition, they always share the same goal: to make your experience an AWE-inspiring one. We pride ourselves on building community and assembling inclusive, supportive teams who all share a passion for pushing themselves and expanding their comfort zones. Ready to learn more about what sets AWE apart? Click the link in our bio! #ReadySetAWE #gendergap #climbforequality #bigmtndreams #mountaineering #womenempoweringwomen #exploremore #womenofmountaineering #forceofnature #alpinism
📣 AMPLIFICATION REQUEST: Applications for our 2024 Summit Scholarship program are due tomorrow! Applications will close tomorrow (1/31) at 11:59 pm MST. Submit your application today for a chance to climb in Peru, Washington, Arizona, New England, and Argentina. To give you a little nudge, we’ve rounded up two of our top questions from all of you. 👀👇🏼 ❓ How do we select our Summit Scholarship winners? ➡️ Show alignment with the Summit Scholarship mission through your personal values. ➡️ Articulate why the expedition you’re applying to has the potential to have a transformative effect on you. ➡️ You don’t need to show us bank statements but indicate why paying out-of-pocket is a barrier for you. ➡️ Mind the word count! ➡️ Remember, this isn’t a popularity contest. We are not asking for your social media handles in the initial application! ❓ Not sure if you should apply for a Summit Scholarship? Here’s our take. When you submit an application, you’re actively helping the Summit Scholarship Foundation create more scholarships in the future. Here’s why, the more applications we receive, the more evident the need for these scholarships is, and the more excited sponsors are about pledging funds. Here’s the best part. By simply writing your application, by taking a chance on something big and sharing that joy with others, you will inspire other women to dream themselves into spaces they may never even have considered a possibility. This is how empowerment happens. To apply, click the link in our bio. The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill’s Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
Vail Back Bowls #vail #vailcolorado #colorado #skiing #ski #coloradophotographer #coloradophotography #coloradophotographs #coloradophotographers #coloradogram #coloradoliving #mountains #mountainliving #mountainlife #powder #ski #rockymountains #rockymountainhigh #strafeouterwear #getoutstayout #alpine #winter #protectourwinters #coloradolife #bigmtndreams #coloradoskiing
Thank you to IG support for being absolutely no help in gaining access to my IG account after it was hacked. This is my new account. #arapahoebasin #colorado #sking #ski #coloradophotographer #coloradophotography #coloradophotographs #coloradophotographers #coloradogram #coloradoliving #mountains #mountainliving #mountainlife #powder #ski #rockymountains #rockymountainhigh #strafeouterwear #getoutstayout #alpine #winter #protectourwinters #coloradolife #bigmtndreams #coloradoskiing
Adventures for all! 🏳🌈 Our final location introduction is on deck today, and we're headed to the lush forests of New England. In partnership with @theventureoutproject, we are offering THREE scholarships for gender-diverse adventurers, including transfeminine, transmasculine, queer, non-binary, Two-Spirit, gender fluid, and beyond. These adventure scholarships are for backpacking trips in Vermont and/or New Hampshire with three different levels to suit your needs: Level I New England Backpacking ➜ 1 Scholarship ➜ Jun 7-10, 2024 ➜ Open to ages 18 to 75+ ➜ Open exclusively to LGBTQ+ transwomen, transmen, and non-binary folk ➜ Level I pushes participants to backpack at a mileage of 2-4 miles/day, with elevation changes of less than 1,000 ft/day. Level II New England Backpacking ➜ 1 Scholarship ➜ Aug 10-15, 2024 ➜ Open to ages 18 to 75+ ➜ Open exclusively to LGBTQ+ transwomen, transmen, and non-binary folk ➜ Level II pushes participants to backpack at a mileage of 3-6 miles/day, with elevation changes of around 1,000-1,500 ft/day Level III New England Backpacking ➜ 1 Scholarship ➜ Sep 14-21, 2024 ➜ Open to ages 18 to 75+ ➜ Open exclusively to LGBTQ+ transwomen, transmen, and non-binary folk ➜ Level III pushes participants to backpack at a mileage of mileage 5-10 miles/day, with elevation changes of 1,500-2,000 ft/day. So, if you’re looking for a challenge and an opportunity to bond with like-minded folks in a safe space that is designed for you, click the link in our bio. Applications are due January 31st. 📸 @theventureoutproject The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill’s Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
ONE WEEK! If you're reading this, it's your sign. 👀 "I know that I deserve to be in spaces that don't require me to prove myself the way I have to do in the male-dominated outdoors culture." Thanks to 2022 Summit Scholarship recipient Alice Held @mtn.alice for this nugget of inspiration. The Summit Scholarship Foundation believes that all adventurers deserve to be in spaces that uplift and empower them, and that's exactly what we aim to do with our 2024 Summit Scholarships. We're proud to be partnering with two fantastic outfitters this year, including @theventureoutproject - who leads backpacking and wilderness trips specifically for the queer and transgender community. And @awexpeditions - who leads backpacking and big mountain expeditions specifically for women, by women. If you're ready to adventure in a space designed for you with a community of like-minded individuals, we can't wait to read your application. Click the link in our bio to access the application. The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill's Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! If you want to support the Summit Scholarship, you can find a link to donate in our bio. Thank you to all of our supporters, far and wide, including you! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity #GrandCanyon #RimToRim #R2R #NationalPark #FindYourPark
Ready. Set. AWE. Here at AWE, we believe it's our values that set us apart. Yes, the summit matters, but how we get there also matters. When you sign up for an expedition, expect to feel welcome and supported. At AWE, you don’t have to prove that you belong – we’re all in this together. At AWE, we stand for: ➜ Safety ➜ Empowerment ➜ Inclusion and equity ➜ Community ➜ Fair & ethical treatment of staff ➜ Ethical treatment of working animals ➜ Care for the environment ➜ Compliance with local rules and regulations Double tap ❤️ if these values resonate with you, and drop a comment 👇🏾 with an AWE value that you've experienced firsthand. #ReadySetAWE #gendergap #climbforequality #bigmtndreams #mountaineering #womenempoweringwomen #exploremore #womenofmountaineering #forceofnature #alpinism
It's adventure time! Today, we are here to share more details about one of our favorite regions and one of our favorite bespoke scholarships. Say hello to Peru's Cordillera Blanca and an opportunity for one African woman to dream herself into the big mountain realm. The Peruvian Andes are the backdrop for this glaciated climb that will take you well above the 5,000-meter threshold as you summit both Ishinca (18,143ft) and Tocllaraju (19,790ft). Thanks to uncomplicated access to these peaks from the city of Huaraz, known as South America’s outdoor capital, it is possible to combine both summits in a stunning two-week itinerary without compromising acclimatization. This trek is offered in collaboration with our expedition partner @awexpeditions, who provides women's expeditions and adventures for women, by women, and Jeannette McGill of @mcgills_mountains. Here are the deets👇 Cordillera Blanca: Ishinca & Tocllaraju ➜ 1 Scholarship ➜ July 14-28, 2024 ➜ Open exclusively to women from Africa ➜ Open to women ages 18 to 75+ Ready to climb? Click the link in our bio! The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill's Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! If you want to support the Summit Scholarship, you can find a link to donate in our bio. Thank you to all of our supporters, far and wide, including you! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity #GrandCanyon #RimToRim #R2R #NationalPark #FindYourPark
We're going live! Join us next week on Instagram Live along with Colette Vartanian (@colenutrition), registered dietitian and Athlete Care Manager at Skratch Labs (@skratchlabs), who is ready to help you start planning and preparing for your next expedition! We know that planning an expedition or even just applying for a Summit Scholarship can be daunting, especially if you are new to the mountaineering world. Colette is ready to arm you with the knowledge that will inspire confidence in yourself and in your body. This live session is perfect for any athelete, regardless if you are applying for a Summit Scholarship in 2024! 🗓️ Tune in on Tuesday, January 23rd at 4pm PST / 7pm EST 🗓️ The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill's Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! If you want to support the Summit Scholarship, you can find a link to donate in our bio. Thank you to all of our supporters, far and wide, including you! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
Wondering if the Summit Scholarship is open to trans people and non-binary adventurers? YES! In 2024, we are thrilled to offer scholarships to women, young women, transgender, and non-binary adventurers. We’ve teamed up with the @theventureoutproject to offer THREE scholarships for gender-diverse adventurers, including transfeminine, transmasculine, queer, non-binary, Two-Spirit, gender fluid, and beyond. These scholarships will take folks into the backcountry for a transformative experience that is just as much about backcountry skills as it is about community connections. So, if you’re looking for a challenge and an opportunity to bond with like-minded folks in a safe space that is designed for you, take a look at our scholarship offerings below. ⤵️ 🥾 Level I New England Backpacking: Jun 7-10, 2024 🥾 Level II New England Backpacking: Aug 10-15, 2024 🥾 Level II New England Backpacking: Sep 14-21, 2024 Why The Venture Out Project? Because we believe that collaboration and lifting each other up means a greater impact on our individual gender equity efforts in the outdoor realm. We also know that for gender-diverse adventurers, it is important to have a space that is safe and welcoming. The Venture Out Project leads backpacking and wilderness trips specifically for the queer and transgender community, making them the perfect partner for these scholarships. If you’re ready for an adventure, head to link in our bio! Applications are due January 31st, 2024. 📸 @theventureoutproject The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill’s Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
This week is all about grand adventures! Today, we are here to share more details about a mountain that needs little introduction. It's the Roof of the Americas, it's one of the Seven Summits, and it has a special place in our hearts. Meet, Aconcagua. For this year's Aconcagua scholarship, we are offering up something unique—the choice to climb via the Normal Route or via the 360 Route. The two routes are very similar in length, in technical difficulty, and they are both extremely physically demanding. No matter which adventure you choose, you can expect a remote, rugged, and demanding high-altitude endeavor that entails more than 14,000 feet of net vertical gain. While ice axe and crampons are mandatory equipment for this high altitude adventure in all but the driest conditions, summiting Aconcagua via the Normal or 360 routes does not entail any technical climbing, nor does it require ropes, making Aconcagua a terrific introduction to extreme high altitude. This trek is offered in collaboration with our expedition partner, AWExpeditions (@awexpeditions), which provides women's expeditions and adventures for women, by women. Here are the deets👇 Aconcagua Expedition ➜ 1 Scholarship ➜ Dec. 1-21, 2024 (Normal Route) or ➜ Dec. 27, 2024 - Jan. 16, 2025 (360 Route) ➜ Open to women ages 18 to 75+ Ready to climb the Roof of the Americas? Click the link in our bio! The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill's Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! If you want to support the Summit Scholarship, you can find a link to donate in our bio. Thank you to all of our supporters, far and wide, including you! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity #GrandCanyon #RimToRim #R2R #NationalPark #FindYourPark
Adventure time continues! Today is all about one of the grandest canyons and adventures of them all... trekking rim-to-rim Grand Canyon. If you've spent time in the backcountry, you know that the big mountains aren't the only place to have big adventures. Backpacking is one of our favorite styles of remote forays, and it doesn't get much better than stepping through geological time as you descend and ascend through the layers of the Grand Canyon If you love the idea of pushing yourself (newbies and seasoned pros alike) in a stunning backcountry paradise that (typically) doesn’t involve snow and ice, the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Backpack is for you. This bucket list backpacking adventure is open to women and girls 14 years or older. This trek is offered in collaboration with our expedition partner, AWExpeditions (@awexpeditions), which offers women's expeditions and adventures for women, by women. Here are the deets👇 Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim ➜ 1 Scholarship ➜ September 22-26, 2024 ➜ Open to women ages 14 to 75+ Ready to apply for this grand adventure? Click the link in our bio! The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill's Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! If you want to support the Summit Scholarship, you can find a link to donate in our bio. Thank you to all of our supporters, far and wide, including you! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity #GrandCanyon #RimToRim #R2R #NationalPark #FindYourPark
We're going live! Join us next week on Instagram Live along with Sunny Stroeer (@sstroeer), who is the founder of the Summit Scholarship Foundation! Sunny will be on hand to answer any of your last-minute questions and talk about why she started the Summit Scholarship Foundation. Folks, don't miss this chance to meet Sunny! 🗓️ Tune in on Thursday, January 18th at 4pm PST / 7pm EST 🗓️ The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill's Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! If you want to support the Summit Scholarship, you can find a link to donate in our bio. Thank you to all of our supporters, far and wide, including you! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
Thinking about applying for a Summit Scholarship, but you aren’t sure if you should? Here’s our take. When you submit an application, you’re actively helping the Summit Scholarship Foundation create more scholarships in the future. Here’s why, the more applications we receive, the more evident the need for these scholarships is, and the more excited sponsors are about pledging funds. Here’s the best part. By simply writing your application, by taking a chance on something big and sharing that joy with others, you will inspire others to dream themselves into spaces they may never even have considered a possibility. This is how empowerment happens. 💪 Click the link in our bio to learn more. Applications are due January 31st, 2024 The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill’s Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! If you want to support the Summit Scholarship, you can find a link to donate in our bio. Thank you to all of our supporters, far and wide, including you! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
It's Adventure time! The time has come for us to share a little bit about each of of scholarship adventure and expedition locations. And today we are kicking it off with one of our favorite expeditions - Glacier School on Mount Baker! This year our Mount Baker scholarships have gone through a bit of a makeover. We have TWO scholarships available for a 5-day Glacier II course and climb and FIVE scholarships available for youth on a 3-day Youth-Only Glacier I course and climb! Both of these courses are offered in collaboration with our expedition partner, AWExpeditions (@awexpeditions), which offers women's expeditions and adventures for women, by women. Here are the deets👇 Mount Baker 5-Day Glacier II Course ➜ 2 Scholarships ➜ June 6-12, 2024 ➜ Open to women ages 16 to 75+ Mount Baker 3 Day YOUTH Climb ➜ 5 Scholarships ➜ August 1-5, 2024 ➜ Open to young women ages 14 to 21 At 10,781ft above sea level, Mt. Baker offers the perfect introduction to mountaineering and is often considered the best glacier training venue in the US. This expedition is a true wilderness outing. Climbers will carry their gear to camp, spend a full day training, and summit Komo Kulshan via the beautiful Easton glacier. Ready to apply for this expedition? Click the link in our bio! The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill's Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! If you want to support the Summit Scholarship, you can find a link to donate in our bio. Thank you to all of our supporters, far and wide, including you! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
We're going live! Join us next week on Instagram Live along with Farah Stack (@farahhhstack), 2021 Summit Scholarship Recipient. Farah will be sharing her tips and tricks to make your application stand out and will share some antedotes from her expeditions to Komo Kulshan (Mount Baker). For those of you applying to one of our SEVEN scholarships to Mount Baker this year, you will definitely want to tune in to hear all about Farah's experience as a Summit Scholarship recipient. 🗓️ Tune in on Tuesday, January 9th at 4pm PST / 7 pm EST 🗓️ The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill's Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! If you want to support the Summit Scholarship, you can find a link to donate in our bio. Thank you to all of our supporters, far and wide, including you! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
How do we select our Summit Scholarship winners? We do all that we can to minimize biases and make the process fair - which is why we initially review all applications blindly, with names and demographic identifiers removed. There is no magic formula, and there are hundreds of qualified applicants each year. To make sure you stand out, here are a few of our top tips: ❤️ Show alignment with the Summit Scholarship mission through your personal values. 🏔️ Articulate why the expedition you’re applying to has the potential to have a transformative effect on you. 🎿 You don’t need to show us bank statements but indicate why paying out-of-pocket is a barrier for you. 🖥️ Mind the word count! 💁🏽♀️ Remember, this isn’t a popularity contest. We are not asking for your social media handles in the initial application! If you want more tips and tricks, click the link 🔗 in our bio to head to our Tips and Tricks blog post! The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill’s Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! If you want to support the Summit Scholarship, you can find a link to donate in our bio. Thank you to all of our supporters, far and wide, including you! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
It's a new year, which means new mountaineering objectives or maybe a first-time objective! Wherever you are in your mountaineering or adventuring journey, we have a place for you at AWExpeditions. We realize that you don't just wake up one day ready to climb Denali; well, maybe some of you could... 😉 It takes time and experience to develop all the skills you need to start backpacking, mountaineering, and climbing at higher altitudes. This is exactly why we have four different categories, and all of our expeditions fit into one of those categories! Let's break them down ⬇ 🏔️ Stepping Stone Experiences are incredible bucket list adventures that stand on their own or help get you ready for bigger mountain objectives. We are proud to have three Stepping Stone Experiences taking off in 2024, including: the Grand Canyon, Paria River Canyon, and Machu Picchu. 🏔️ Basecamp Clinics are mountaineering-specific instructional climbs and skill-building clinics on introductory peaks; we lovingly call these expeditions "Glacier School," and they are the perfect way to step up your mountaineer skills. In 2024, we will be hosting two Glacier Schools on Mount Baker. 🏔️ High Camp Adventures range from advanced-level mountaineering courses to "easy" extreme altitude expeditions. In 2024, our teams will be crisscrossing the globe to trek in some of the most awe-inspiring places, including Nepal, Peru, and Tanzania! But don't be fooled by the word easy; these are all demanding expeditions. 🏔️ Peak Expeditions are the pinnacle: big, hard, multi-week extreme high-altitude mountain expeditions in far-out places. We are proud to be offering two treks to the infamous Aconcagua in 2024, with expeditions along the Normal Route and the 360 Route (our personal favorite). We want you to know that whether you are trekking rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon or ascending the Roof of the Americas, Aconcagua, you belong at AWExpeditions. Who's ready for an epic 2024? Click the link in our bio to learn more! #ReadySetAWE #gendergap #climbforequality #bigmtndreams #mountaineering #womenempoweringwomen #exploremore #womenofmountaineering #forceofnature #alpinism
Have you heard? We are giving away $55,000 worth of mountaineering and adventure stipends to folks from ALL walks of life. But where does all this funding come from? The AWE Summit Scholarship Board works with companies and individuals to help secure more funding. The more interest we can show year after year, the more funding we can access. So, with no further ado, we would like to acknowledge our incredible partners. A big thank you to our returning core financial partners, The Cairn Project, Nite Ize, McGill’s Mountains, and Lucy Westlake, as well as our incredible product and service partners, LOWA, LEKI, The Venture Out Project, and AWExpeditions. We are stoked to extend a hearty welcome to Skratch Labs and All The Sky Foundation as first-time contributors! Last but not least, a huge thank you to YOU! Your contributions have a direct impact on our scholarship program. Every time you buy a calendar, donate, share a post, or help spread the word, we can increase the number of available scholarships. Ready to help? When you purchase a Women of Mountaineering Calendar (we ship internationally!) or make a donation, those funds go directly towards supporting more scholarships. Head to the link 🔗 in our bio for all the details! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
We’re back a day early with our next round of tips and tricks! One of the most popular questions we get asked - do I need to be a mountaineer to apply for a Summit Scholarship? The Summit Scholarship is intended to break down barriers. For most of our scholarships, you do NOT need to have prior mountaineering experience, and for some, you don’t even need prior backpacking experience. When you apply, we ask you to share a bit about your outdoor & endurance background primarily to make sure that the scholarships you are applying for are, in fact, a good match for you. 👉🏼 More burning questions? Join us in January for one of our Instagram Live sessions to hear more tips and tricks from past recipients, our board members, and Summit Scholarship Founder @sstroeer! The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill’s Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! If you want to support the Summit Scholarship, you can find a link to donate in our bio. Thank you to all of our supporters, far and wide, including you! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
Conditions may not be great but when your 11 year old tells you on the chairlift that she loves skiing with you, your day is made…or decade really! #coppermountain #colorado #sking #ski #coloradophotographer #coloradophotography #coloradophotographs #coloradophotographers #coloradogram #coloradoliving #mountains #mountainliving #mountainlife #powder #ski #rockymountains #rockymountainhigh #strafeouterwear #getoutstayout #alpine #winter #protectourwinters #coloradolife #bigmtndreams #coloradoskiing #wild_rye_ @wild_rye_
It’s hard NOT to get excited about the Summit Scholarship. But then you sit down to write your application, and you start wondering... how can I make my application stand out? So, here’s our first tip. Go beyond expressing your enthusiasm for simply getting to climb Aconcagua or Mount Baker free of charge. Show alignment with our mission and highlight the transformative potential that an expedition could have for you. We’re committed to helping you make your application as strong as possible. If you’re looking for more tips and support, be sure to check out the following: 👀 More questions answered every Thursday 🔗 Link in bio to our “Tips and Tricks” blog post 🖥️ Instagram Live Q&A Sessions in January If you are hesitating to apply, please also know the following: no matter if you receive a scholarship or not, by submitting your application, you are actively helping the Summit Scholarship Foundation create more scholarships in the future. Here’s why - the more applications we receive, the more evident the need for these scholarships is, and the more excited sponsors are about pledging funds to support the program, the more scholarships we can offer. ❤️ Also, did we mention that by simply applying, you will inspire others to dream themselves into spaces that they may never even have considered possible? This is how empowerment happens. Join us and apply today! The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill’s Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! If you want to support the Summit Scholarship, you can find a link to donate in our bio. Thank you to all of our supporters, far and wide, including you! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
📣 ROLLCALL 📣 We want to know, what Summit Scholarship expedition has you MOST excited? 🇦🇷 Is it the Roof of the Americas, Aconcagua, which stands proudly at 22,841 feet, earning its spot as one of the Seven Summits? 🇺🇸 What about making your way to the glaciated slopes of Komo Kulshan (Mount Baker) for some epic skills training? 🇵🇪 Speaking of epic, maybe you have your eyes set on climbing Peru's Ishinca and Tocllaraju, nestled into the Cordillera Blanca. 🇺🇸 And don't forget about the iconic desert terrain of the Grand Canyon, a perfect training ground for bigger objectives. 🏳️🌈 Oh, but wait, there's more! Do you have your eyes on the evergreen forests of New England, where an LGBTQ+ community is eager to trek with you? Drop your favorite(s) below! 👇🏼 The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill's Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! If you want to support the Summit Scholarship, you can find a link to donate in our bio. Thank you to all of our supporters, far and wide, including you! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
Hope you have a beautiful day 💟 . . #bend #bendoregon #centraloregon #oregon #inbend #pnw #visitbend #bigmtndreams #centraloregonlife #bendlife #bendor #bendoregonlife #inbendoregon #happybirthday #bekind #love #backyardbend #instagood #bendmagazine #sunrise #visitcentraloregon #downtownbend #pinksky #ig #electronic #bestofbend #hike #Redmond oregon #sistersoregon #mountainlove
It's here! The Summit Scholarship applications are live! We are a proud supporter of the AWE Summit Scholarship Foundation. This year, they are offering more than $55,000 worth of mountaineering & adventure stipends for women, young women, and gender-diverse adventurers. There will be thirteen scholarships available; here’s a peek at what the Summit Scholarship has on deck for 2024: 🏔️ For the first time, three scholarships for gender-diverse adventurers, including transgender (masculine/feminine) and non-binary folx, will be available in partnership with The Venture Out Project. 🏔️ Youth mountaineering scholarships are back! There will be six spots available to climb Komo Kulshan (Mount Baker) for young women between the ages of 14 and 21. 🏔️ Two mountaineering scholarships will be available, one to climb Aconcagua (360 or Normal Route) and another to hone your skills on Komo Kulshan (Mount Baker). 🏔️ One backpacking scholarship will be available to trek rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon; this bucket list trip is for those looking to gain backcountry skills and test their endurance. 🏔️ One mountaineering scholarship will be reserved for a woman from Africa (residents & passport holders from African countries) to climb in Peru's Cordillera Blanca. Which one(s) will you apply for? To learn more and apply, head to the @summitscholarshipfoundation. Applications are due January 31st. The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill's Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, The Venture Out Project, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals. @summitscholarshipfoundation @niteize @mcgills_mountains @lowaboots @whatsnextlucy @theventureoutproject @awexpeditions @alltheskyfoundation @skratchlabs #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
It’s here! The @summitscholarshipfoundation applications are live! This year, they are offering more than $55,000 worth of mountaineering & adventure stipends for women, young women, and gender-diverse adventurers. There will be thirteen scholarships available and you can apply and find out all about the different expeditions through the link in our bio! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus https://bit.ly/48bgqfG
It’s here! The Summit Scholarship applications are live! This year, we are offering more than $55,000 worth of mountaineering & adventure stipends for women, young women, and gender-diverse adventurers. There will be thirteen scholarships available; here’s a peek at where the Summit Scholarship recipients will be headed in 2024: 🏔️ For the first time, three scholarships for gender-diverse adventurers, including transgender (masculine/feminine) and non-binary folx, will be available in partnership with The Venture Out Project (@theventureoutproject) 🏔️ Youth mountaineering scholarships are back! Six spots will be available to climb Komo Kulshan (Mount Baker) for young women between the ages of 14 and 21. 🏔️ Two mountaineering scholarships will be available, one to climb Aconcagua (360 or Normal Route) and another to hone your skills on Komo Kulshan (Mount Baker). 🏔️ One backpacking scholarship will be available to trek rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon; this bucket list trip is for those looking to gain backcountry skills and test their endurance. 🏔️ One mountaineering scholarship will be reserved for a woman from Africa (residents & passport holders from African countries) to climb in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca. Which one(s) will you apply for? To learn more and apply, click the link in our bio or head to www.summitscholarship.org. Applications are due January 31st. The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill’s Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals. If you want to support the Summit Scholarship, you can find a link to donate in our bio. Thank you to all of our supporters, far and wide, including you! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
✨ TOMORROW ✨The 2024 Summit Scholarship will open for applications tomorrow. And 2021 recipient @clarasoh has perfectly captured the stoke we are all feeling at the Summit Scholarship Foundation! This year, we will offer nearly $40,000 worth of mountaineering & adventure stipends for women, young women, and gender-diverse adventurers from all walks of life. There will be thirteen different scholarships for backpacking trips, mountaineering courses, and high-altitude expeditions that could take you to Arizona, Argentina, Washington, or Peru at close to no cost to yourself! The application will be available via our website. You can also find the details in our newsletter, linked in our Instagram bio, and via our story! 👀 If you have any questions about the scholarship, please do not hesitate to drop us a DM. And keep your eyes out as we will announce our Instagram Live schedule very soon, featuring multiple Q&A sessions to help answer your most pressing questions! The Summit Scholarship is powered by the generous support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill’s Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, The Venture Out Project, All The Sky Foundation, Skratch Labs, and numerous individuals! If you want to support the Summit Scholarship, you can find a link to donate in our bio. Thank you to all of our supporters, far and wide, including you! #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
It’s time for a little sneak peek... at our 2024 Summit Scholarships! Here are a few of the places we will be heading in 2024 with our scholarship recipients. Do you recognize any of them? If so, drop a comment below! ⬇️ As a reminder, applications go live on FRIDAY- don’t miss your chance to climb for equality! The Summit Scholarship program is made possible by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill’s Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, and numerous individuals. Thank you all for your support. #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
Our favorite gifts this winter - inspired by all of you! 📅 Pick up your 2024 Women of Mountaineering wall calendar by clicking the link in our bio. All proceeds benefit the Summit Scholarship Foundation. 📕 Subscribe someone you love to Grit Lit, the quarterly subscription box focused on elevating the stories of women in the outdoors from the @thecairnproject. 💃 Keep things fresh and Leave No Trace with a pee cloth from @kulacloth. When you pair those with @goflytechnology pants from @gnara_apparel you'll be sittin' pretty at the trailhead. And just in case you need a little something for yourself, gear up with some of our favorite brands: 💡 Keep the lights on in the backcountry with @niteize 🏔️ Find your next pair of trekking poles from @lekiusa 🥾 Mind your feet with footwear from @lowaboots 😴 And stay cozy at camp with a @expedint sleeping pad #AWESummitScholarship #climbforequality #bigmtndreams #mountaineering #womenempoweringwomen #ReadySetAWE #exploremore #womenofmountaineering
The Summit Scholarship is back! And applications will be going live on December 15th 🎉 This year, we are proud to offer more than $40,000 worth of mountaineering & adventure stipends for women, young women, and gender-diverse adventurers. There will be thirteen scholarships available, which are designed to get recipients into the big mountain realm through backpacking trips, mountaineering courses, and high-altitude expeditions. In 2024, the Summit Scholarship cohort will head to destinations such as Arizona, Peru, Argentina, or Washington at close to no cost to themselves! For those new to the Summit Scholarship Foundation, welcome! We are a non-profit committed to closing the gender gap - one mountain at a time. We aim to make the backcountry more accessible to women, young women, and gender-diverse adventurers and to share the empowering adventure of pushing hard in challenging environments. We know how life-changing it is to step outside your comfort zone on a high-altitude peak like Mount Baker or in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca. Applications for the 2024 Summit Scholarship go live on December 15th - don’t miss your chance to climb for equality! The Summit Scholarship program is made possible by the generous financial support of Nite Ize, The Cairn Project, McGill’s Mountains, LOWA, Lucy Westlake, All The Sky Foundation, and numerous individuals. Thank you all for your support. #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
Our Operations Manager, Shea (@shea.mccray), rounded up her top sustainable hiking tips, and we can't help but share them with all of you. As you know, hiking and trekking is becoming increasingly popular, especially in this post-pandemic life. Folks are out there to experience the physical and emotional benefits of experiencing the full regalia of wilderness and solitude. But as more folks start hiking, which we love, others venture deeper into the backcountry in search of their next adventure. As Shea puts it, it's up to all of us to preserve and steward those places we love to explore. Here's the low-down on Shea's tips: ➜ Leave No Trace ➜ Stick to Established Trails ➜ Pack It In, Pack It Out ➜ Minimize Campfire Impact ➜ Respect Wildlife ➜ Sustainable Gear Choices ➜ Conserve Water ➜ Respect Local Regulations ➜ Support Conservation Efforts And since we just wrapped Native American Heritage Month, we want to add one more suggestion: ➜ Visit Archeology Sites with Respect These sustainable tips will help ensure that the wild places we love stick around for generations to come. We want our children and grandkids to experience wild and untamed landscapes, begging to be explored and protected for their own children. Thank you, Shea, for sharing these tips with all of us! If you want to learn more, head to @leavenotraceorg or @bearsearspartnership. #ReadySetAWE #sustainablehiking #leavenotrace #visitwithrespect #nativeland #gendergap #climbforequality #bigmtndreams #mountaineering #womenempoweringwomen #exploremore #womenofmountaineering #forceofnature #alpinism
Big Mountain Dream #ischgl #stanton #visitaustria #365austria #pow #greatvalluga #visualgrams #deepsnow #bigmountaindreams #bigmtndreams #openingstanton #fischerski
Playing in SARA’s crack. As fun as it sounds.
Komo Kulshan through the eyes of Indigenous mountaineer Martell (@martella27) ⬇️ “I recognize how this volcano, with all of its magnificent glaciers and snow, nourishes the region with snowmelt. It feeds the rivers and lakes I swam in as a child and eventually drains into the bays where I caught crab with my parents and family friends every summer. For me, exploring mountains like Kulshan is a way to continue to build a relationship with the land I live on; and building these relationships reinforces my responsibility to it. It reminds me of the importance of caring for these environments so that they are here to care for our children and our children's children.” For those unfamiliar, Komo Kulshan, or Koma Kulshan, or just Kulshan, is the indigenous name for Mount Baker given by the Lummi Nation. It's important to note that Indigenous peoples from the Nooksack Nation called this mountain Kweq’ Smánit in their native language. When Martell climbed with our all-women's team in 2021, we made her a promise: to make space for Indigenous identity on the mountain and off the mountain. Martell, thank you for calling us in and for allowing us to continue to step up to the plate. Our work is never done when it comes to making space for Indigenous identities - we are always seeking ways to learn and decolonize our thoughts while simultaneously making time to celebrate native achievements and history far and wide. We hope you join us in learning and celebrating. #ReadySetAWE #IndigenousHeritageMonth #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #komokulshan #komakulshan #kulshan #mountbaker #mtbaker #climbforequality #bigmtndreams #mountaineering #womenempoweringwomen #nativeland #youronnativeland
Save the date: The Summit Scholarship is back for 2024! 🙌 If you know it'd be life-changing to stand on a high-altitude peak or push yourself in a new environment, but you face barriers to get there, this is your nudge to apply. For 2024, the AWE Summit Scholarship Foundation is offering more than $40,000 worth of mountaineering & adventure stipends for women, young women, and gender-diverse adventurers. Wanna learn more? 🔗 Tap here: @summitscholarshipfoundation. Applications go live on December 15th - don't miss your chance to climb for equality! @summitscholarshipfoundation @niteize @thecairnproject @mcgills_mountains @lowaboots @whatsnextlucy@theventureoutproject @awexpeditions #AWESummitScholarship #ClimbForEquality #BigMtnDreams #Mountaineering #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReadySetAWE #ExploreMore #WomenOfMountaineering #SheExplores #ForceOfNature #LGBTQ #LGBTQPlus #PrideOutside #LGBTQOutside #QueerMountaineers #DiversifyOutdoors #OutInTheWild #QueerHiker #QueerPride #TransHiker #QueerOutdoors #QueersInNature #QueerCommunity
We are thankful for all of our Summit Scholarship recipients and supporters. ❤️ The Summit Scholarship exists to break down barriers of entry for women in the big mountain realm. We also aim to elevate the stories of women in the big mountains, amplifying their voices to be heard, far and wide. In 2023, we’ve gotten to know an incredible group of women. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to get to know: Alyssa (@aly_xir), Char (@soy_charizo), Ava (@avak_lol756), Callie (@calliejohnson06), Mendo (@sm3ndo), Katlego (@katlegoletheo), Maggie (@margiegathungu), Elaine (@guava.girlie). In addition to the women above, we are immensely grateful for our partners. Thank you to @niteize, @thecairnproject, @mcgills_mountains, @lowaboots, @lekiusa, @whatsnextlucy, @expedint, @kulacloth, and @sheflyapparel for making this program possible - we couldn’t do what we do without your support. #AWESummitScholarship #climbforequality #bigmtndreams #mountaineering #womenempoweringwomen #ReadySetAWE #exploremore #womenofmountaineering
Trekking Rim-to-Rim in the Grand Canyon is a bucket list hike for many, but for Native peoples, the Grand Canyon is more than just a place to hike; it's a place of immeasurable importance. Eleven federally recognized tribes have current and historic connections to the lands and resources found within the Grand Canyon National Park, including: ➜ Havasupai Tribe – AZ ➜ Hopi Tribe – AZ ➜ Hualapai Tribe – AZ ➜ Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians – AZ ➜ Las Vegas Paiute Tribe – NV ➜ Moapa Band of Paiute Indians – NV ➜ Navajo Nation – AZ ➜ Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation ➜ Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah – UT ➜ San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe – AZ ➜ The Pueblo of Zuni – NM ➜ Yavapai-Apache Nation – AZ As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, we hope you can take a moment, wherever you are, to listen to the wind and the stories it carries. The history played out in places like the Grand Canyon has been dramatic and difficult, but learning from our shared past, present, and future will continue to drive us forward. In addition, we also want to acknowledge and send our admiration to the Native peoples who call the Grand Canyon home in the past and presently. We are honored to walk among the cottonwoods and the Kaibab limestone walls, and we do so with the utmost respect to our Native neighbors. #ReadySetAWE #IndigenousHeritageMonth #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #grandcanyon #grandcanyonnationalpark #grandcanyonnps #climbforequality #bigmtndreams #mountaineering #womenempoweringwomen #nativeland #youronnativeland
Mt. Whitney/Tumanguya (14,505 feet/4,421 m). The highest peak in California and the lower 48. Which do you prefer: 1. summer alpine climb or 2. winter ski mountaineering? I had the opportunity to climb it via the east buttress (July 2013) and ski the mountaineers route (April 2016). This mountain will always have my heart! Dreaming about those sunrises, couloirs and ridges in the range of light. #bigmtndreams
Peak number 42 for our pup @lilarbg. While we are waiting for more snow to really get the ski season going, we are continuing to train for our upcoming expedition to Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America and the western hemisphere. Who knows which Wasatch 11,000’ peak this is? Thanks for a fun day out @katefbowman! #lilaspeakproject #bigmtndreams
To celebrate Native American Heritage Month, we are sharing one of our favorite spots along the Paria River Canyon. Here at AWExpeditions, we have a deep appreciation for the land and want to acknowledge the original stewards - the Paiute people. This canyon, deep in the desert southwest, is steeped in stories. These aren't stories you can pick up and read, but they are all around you as you walk through the sandstone walls of this breathtaking canyon. For more than 10,000 years, Paiute people have been walking through these same canyon walls, and it's an honor to walk in their footsteps. This canyon, deep in the desert southwest, is steeped in stories. These aren't stories you can pick up and read, but they are all around you as you walk through the sandstone walls of this spectacular canyon. Since we are thinking about our connection to the land, we want to share one of our favorite quotes from Robin Wall Kimmerer in Braiding Sweetgrass. "The land is the real teacher. All we need as students is mindfulness." We hope you can take a moment to learn from the land through a mindful pause in our busy lives. #ReadySetAWE #IndigenousHeritageMonth #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #pariariver #pariarivercanyon #climbforequality #bigmtndreams #mountaineering #womenempoweringwomen #nativeland #youronnativeland
Ok.... Second chair. We'll let the Skirotica boys have first chair. | | | | | Follow, like, comment, and share to spread the stoke #expandyourplayground #skibum #pushyourlimits #earnyourturns #offpiste #skitouring #backcountryskiing #skitour #expandyourcomfortzone #skiblog #powdertothepeople #mysnowday #powturns #powderlife #bigmtndreams #mountain #scareyourself #thenbackdown #deep #ski #shred #lifeofadventure #getoutside #winter #pow #powder #mountains #prayforsnow #mountainlife #skiing
Here's a little first chair of the season sunrise. We got up WAY TOO EARLY to be the first chair in Utah. We made it! | | | | | Follow, like, comment, and share to spread the stoke #expandyourplayground #skibum #pushyourlimits #earnyourturns #offpiste #skitouring #backcountryskiing #skitour #expandyourcomfortzone #skiblog #powdertothepeople #mysnowday #powturns #powderlife #bigmtndreams #mountain #scareyourself #thenbackdown #deep #ski #shred #lifeofadventure #getoutside #winter #pow #powder #mountains #prayforsnow #mountainlife #skiing
Take a journey down the Paria River Canyon with Summit Scholarship Recipient Elaine (@guava.girlie). 😍 Last month, Elaine joined Kati, Corin, Shelby, Kali, Ellen, Nathalie, and Maddi for a 38-plus-mile trek through an unparalleled desert dreamscape. When we look at their photos and hear the stories, we can see the beauty of each individual, the team, and, of course, the canyon. Congrats to Elaine and the entire team, and a successful trip down our favorite desert canyon. The Summit Scholarship program is made possible by the generous support of @niteize, @thecairnproject, @mcgills_mountains, @lowaboots, @lekiusa, @whatsnextlucy, @expedint, @kulacloth, and @sheflyapparel #AWESummitScholarship #climbforequality #bigmtndreams #mountaineering #womenempoweringwomen #ReadySetAWE #exploremore #womenofmountaineering #PariaRiver #PariaRiverCanyon #VermilionCliffs #slotcanyon #buckskingulch #womenwhohike #hikinglife #backpackinglife #hikemore #womenempowerwomen #hikinglovers #desertdreams