Trailblazers

Celebrate International Womens Day with 10 Mountain Literature books written by trailblazing female authors

The great outdoors should be for everyone, yet for far too long, women have faced barriers that have made participation in outdoor adventure harder than it should be. From safety concerns and outdated gender stereotypes to a lack of representation in media and gear; it's an uphill climb.

The absence of female role models in adventure sports further compounds the issue. Without visible representation, many women struggle to see themselves taking part in outdoor activities, especially at a professional or elite level. And as highlighted by Bex Band in The Ordinary Adventurer, even the shelves of bookshops reinforce this divide, with adventure literature dominated by male authors.

Trailblazing authors

The adventure shelves might still be overwhelmingly male-dominated, but we didn't have to look far to fill our bookshelf with 10 female authors who are carving their own trails—both literally and figuratively.

Join us in celebrating International Womens' Day on the 8th March by picking up your own copy of these great reads:

Time on Rock – Anna Fleming: A memoir of climbing and self-discovery, charting the physical and mental journey of learning to move on rock.

I Belong Here – Anita Sethi: A deeply personal book exploring identity, nature, and belonging as Sethi hikes across the UK after experiencing racial abuse.

Bothy – Kate Hill: A tribute to the remote shelters of Scotland, celebrating solitude, adventure, and the spirit of wild places.

The Outdoor Swimmer’s Handbook – Kate Rew: A guide to open water swimming that blends practical advice with lyrical descriptions of the joys of cold water.

The Hard Way – Susannah Walker: A story of endurance and survival, tackling extreme challenges in the wild.

Wintering – Katherine May: A meditation on the cycles of life and nature, blending personal experience with reflections on winter landscapes.

Wayfarer – Phoebe Smith: A journey through the UK’s wildest landscapes, advocating for adventure on your doorstep.

First Coffee Then the World – Jenny Graham: The gripping story of setting the record for the fastest woman to cycle around the world.

In Her Nature – Rachel Hewitt: A deep dive into the history of women’s participation in outdoor sports and the struggle for equality.

Ethel – Helen Mort: A novel inspired by real-life pioneering mountaineer Ethel Carnie Holdsworth, exploring ambition, freedom, and resilience.

The power of storytelling

Storytelling is a powerful way to challenge the lack of representation. As Christopher J Goodall wrote in the 2001 reprint of Gwen Moffat's 'Space Below my Feet'.

"Space Below My Feet... continues, I am sure, to draw youngsters, and especially young women, towards the thrills of climbing and mountaineering. It shares with us the feeling, the mystery, of the hills better than any other mountaineering book I have read".

With access to quick-fire, media-rich mediums, tomorrow's trailblazers may not be limited to the written word; but as shown by the generous output of authors such as the 10 featured here, there is only one medium that carries a spine.

This International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the women redefining adventure—one trail, one book, and one bold step at a time.

Alpkit Foundation and Women’s Outdoor Communities

The Alpkit Foundation has been supporting grassroots initiatives aimed at getting more women outdoors. From funding women’s outdoor leadership training to backing community hiking and paddling groups, Alpkit has helped break down financial and social barriers that often prevent women from participating in outdoor adventures. Here are some recent highlights:

Increasing Representation through Mountaineering Skills Weekend

The Women's Alpine Adventure Club (WAAC), dedicated to inspiring women in alpine pursuits, recognised a lack of diversity within their community. To address this, they collaborated with Black Girls Hike to organise a mountaineering skills weekend in Eryri (Snowdonia). Supported by a £500 grant from the Alpkit Foundation, the event aimed to empower women from various backgrounds to advance their mountain skills, fostering inclusivity and broader representation in mountaineering.

Following Nan: A Slower, Deeper Style of Mountaineering

Inspired by Nan Shepherd's immersive approach to nature, a group of women embarked on an expedition in the Cairngorms to experience a more contemplative style of mountaineering. This journey emphasised patience, connection, and a deeper appreciation for the environment. Participants, ranging from seasoned mountaineers to novices, found the experience transformative, with some pursuing further outdoor qualifications. The expedition underscored the value of slowing down to truly connect with the mountains and oneself.

Start your adventures with female-led communities

Whether through landmark achievements, inspiring literature, or the work of community groups, the tide can turn. Women’s participation in outdoor sports is on the rise, thanks in part to dedicated initiatives, increased media representation, and the efforts of female-led communities. Campaigns such as British Canoeing’s #ShePaddles and the rise of groups like Love Her Wild and Women in Adventure are helping to shift the narrative. Some fantastic organisations making a difference include:

• Love Her Wild – A women’s adventure community offering group expeditions and mentoring.
• Women in Adventure – A research-led project promoting female participation in outdoor activities.
• ShePaddles – British Canoeing’s initiative to support more women in paddlesport.
• Ladies in the Outdoors – A community platform sharing stories, tips, and inspiration for women exploring the wild.
• Women Outdoors – A resource hub for women looking to explore the UK’s landscapes.
• The Adventure Syndicate - A non-profit organisation that shares inspiring stories of women tackling adventures by bike, motivating others to challenge their own perceived limits.
• Women's Climbing Symposium - The Women's Climbing Symposium is an annual event that brings together climbers of all levels to learn, connect, and be inspired through workshops, talks, and coaching.
• Women's Trad Fest - For 8 years WTF provided a space for learning and connection to thousands of attendees, outdoor professionals, and volunteers. Included to recognise its historic importance.