Hulda Crooks earned the nickname “Grandma Whitney” for climbing the continental U.S.’s tallest peak, Mount Whitney, 23 times between 1962 and 1991. She was 66 during her first ascent. She also climbed Japan’s Mount Fuji in 1987, becoming the oldest woman to scale it at age 91.
Canadian journalist, novelist, mountaineer, botanist, photographer and lecturer
Former US Marine, who is an amputee, snowboarder, mountaineer and activist
The first female mountain guide in North America, she opened up career opportunities for women in the climbing world as a trailblazer for female climbing guides and rangers in national parks.
In 1997, Brigitte Muir was the first Australian woman to climb Mt Everest.
Fay Fuller was the first known woman to summit Mount Rainier.
Ella E. McBride was an internationally noted fine-art photographer, as well as an avid mountain climber, environmentalist, and civic leader.
Minneapolis-born Cora Johnstone Best achieved international success as a mountaineer during the 1920s. She was a pioneer in the sport, becoming a licensed guide at a time when women were rarely given the opportunity to be lead climbers.
Canadian-American suffragist, philanthropist, founding faculty member, environmentalist, leader of the women’s club movement in the 1890’s and a 1920 Democratic candidate for state superintendent.
The Operation White Tower expedition commenced in the spring of 1947 with the goal of mapping and filming the highest mountain in North America. Barbara Polk Washburn was the only woman on the team of mountaineers, photographers, scientists, and military men.