What are the qualities of an adventurous woman?
A boundary-pusher, a breaker of the status quo, a defier of expectations? A woman who faces adversity wearing the fiercest of grins; who stands tall while buffeted by the most ferocious of storms; who knows the strength of her own heart yet holds others with tenderness.
How did she become who she is?
Well, she more than likely had other women she looked up to during her formative years. She can probably give you a list of influential female mentors, family members, and friends who have guided and inspired her.
An adventurous woman doesn’t simply burst into being. She is grown over the years through nurturing, learning, mistakes, hilarity, heartbreak, moments of wonder, physical pain, determination, and love.
We follow in the footsteps of many a strong, adventurous woman. One I can think of off the top of my head is my great grandmother, Lissa Hargrave, who was an early member of the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) and summited Mt Resplendent in 1913. I never met her but grew up hearing stories of her tenacity and seeing old photos of her in the mountains.
Photos provided by Malcolm Sissons
Top: Team on the summit of Mt Resplendent (1913)
Bottom: Lissa Hargrave on Cathedral mountain (1913)
Another was my academic mentor during my undergrad at Quest University Canada, Dr. Kim Dawe. She taught me the value of rigorous science, that there is comedy to be found in the rigamarole of academia, and the importance of balancing work (even passion-driven work) with playtime in the mountains.
Photo by Wyatt Stevens of Heather (left) and Kim (right) conducting fieldwork in the coastal mountains of BC.
A third woman that embodies the adventurous spirit for me, is my friend and running buddy Kelsey. She is always keen to go explore the mountains, and maintains the most playful energy whilst suffering and/or giggling on the trail.
Photo by Heather of Kelsey Demmings on a ridge in the Kananaskis region of the Rockies.
That Amaya is a fourth such woman goes without saying. Her strength and thirst for adventure and laughter are indescribable.
But none of these women got to where they are on their own, and neither have I.
One of my favourite quotes of all time, by Rupi Kaur, is the following:
“ i stand
on the sacrifices
of a million women before me
thinking
what can i do
to make this mountain taller
so the women after me
can see farther”
I’d like to think that, while perhaps not the greatest of sacrifices (although there are definitely jobs, experiences, and important relationships that we are leaving behind), this trip, planned and executed by two young women, will be another small stepping stone added to the top of the mountain. It will make the inevitable occasional struggle of long days on the trail worth it if some young girl hears of it and thinks to herself “I could do that, and more!”
Adventurous women come into being through access, support and community, not inside an isolated bubble. For this reason, creating space for young girls in adventurous undertakings is vitally important. Daring to dream of ridiculous endeavours is important. And making those dreams a reality is important!
There is power in adventuring with women. There is space for strength and laughter and tenderness. And love. Love for each other and for the world around us!
~XOXO Heather