Women today have not left any stone unturned, be it in any field. They are breaking all the barriers and accomplishing things that are stereotypically and traditionally considered for men only. Seeing them flourish and successfully partake in activities not necessarily expected of them is truly fascinating. So when it comes to climbing K2, why should women be left behind?
Men usually contribute significantly to equipping athletes with athletic abilities. However, when it comes to working hard and being determined to climb the success ladder, there is no gender specification. Here, we know about the iron ladies who made history climbing K2.
First Female Climber of K2
K2, being the second-highest mountain at 8,611 meters, holds a significant place in the mountaineering world. Every mountaineer’s ultimate goal is to reach the summit of Savage Mountain. Female climbers dreamed the same, too, and thus, Wanda Rutkiewicz became the first K2 female climber on June 23, 1986.
Wanda Rutkiewicz – the Trailblazer
This journey of female climbers summiting K2 started when Wanda Rutkiewicz successfully climbed K2. Being a woman, she faced several hardships throughout her life because of her unpredictable profession. But she continued her hustle despite mountaineering being male-dominant. Along with the physical challenges, she also had to suffer from constant criticism and scepticism from the general public and the mountaineering community as well.
She was questioned at every step of her journey, but she kept going. During her journey, she faced several challenges as there were no guides for her due to less female involvement, but those challenges only made her more determined.
After all of these struggles, Rutkiewicz made it to the top. She gave other talented female climbers a purpose and boost that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to.
Shortly after Wanda Rutkiewicz, Liliane Barnard, a French climber, made it to the top of Savage Mountain on July 22, 1986. She got the confidence she needed from Rutkiewicz, so she followed her steps to victory. Seeing these powerful women climbing the deadliest mountain ever to exist motivated other women.
K2 Female Climbers: Iron Ladies Who Made History
Some of the women that faced all of the struggles and made it to the top are;
Chantal Mauduit: A French mountaineer who climbed K2 in 1992. She was the third woman to complete her journey towards K2.
Alison Hargreaves: A British climber who reached the summit of K2 in 1995. She tragically died during a descent from Mount K2 a few months later.
Cecilie Skog: A Norwegian mountaineer who reached the summit of K2 in 2008.
Nives Meroi: An Italian mountaineer who, along with her husband Romano Benet, reached the summit of K2 in 2014.
Vanessa O’Brien: A British-American mountaineer who reached the summit of K2 in 2017. She became the first American-British woman to do so.
Lhakpa Sherpa: A Nepalese mountaineer who holds the record for the most summits of Mount Everest by a woman and has also climbed K2.
All of these fearless and strong women have created a pathway for future female climbers. They broke all stereotypes and told the world how a profession is not specified to one gender. Female climbers’ achievements changed the mountaineering community, giving them the recognition they deserved.
Eternal Inspiration for Female Climbers
Now, because of these women, there are multiple guides for other women who are interested in climbing K2. They are now mentors and role models to the next generation, inspiring them to do their best and work to their fullest.
There are educational programs and videos all over the internet for women specifically to help them with their journey. There are training centres for skull development all around the world where women take part equally to prepare for their incredibly beautiful yet perilous trips.
Rutkiewicz not only made history by being the first female climber but also facilitated all of these women around the world who had no opportunities and guidelines with a mortuary. She helped all other women who had no faith in themselves that with enough training and strategy, they too could stand at the top of the mighty K2.