FYI - the sport of mountaineering has no governing body. Mountaineering lacks widely applied formal rules, regulations, and governance; mountaineers adhere to a large variety of techniques and philosophies when climbing mountains. A federation of alpine clubs, the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA), is the International Olympic Committee-recognized world organization for mountaineering and climbing. The premier award in mountaineering is the Piolet d'Or. 

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Specific Challenges

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Climbing all 14 8,000 metre peaks​

• First woman to summit all 14 eight-thousanders – Edurne Pasaban (Spain) — 17 May 2010

• First woman to climb all 14 eight-thousanders without supplemental oxygen – Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner (Austria) — 23 August 2011​

  • 14 eight-thousanders completed:

    • 2011 – K2 (8,611 m) – Pakistan/China

    • 2010 – Mount Everest (8,848 m) – Tibet

    • 2009 – Lhotse (8,516 m) – Nepal

    • 2008 – Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m) – Nepal

    • 2007 – Broad Peak (8,047 m) – Pakistan

    • 2006 – Kangchenjunga (8,595 m) – Nepal (SW Face)

    • 2005 – Gasherbrum II (8,035 m) – Pakistan (SW Ridge)

    • 2005 – Shishapangma (8,013 m) – Tibet (South Face)

    • 2004 – Gasherbrum I (8,068 m) – Pakistan (Japan Couloir)

    • 2004 – Annapurna I (8,091 m) – Nepal

    • 2003 – Nanga Parbat (8,125 m) – Pakistan (Diamir Face)

    • 2002 – Manaslu (8,163 m) – Nepal

    • 2001 – Makalu (8,463 m) – Nepal

    • 2000 – Shishapangma Central Summit (8,008 m) – Tibet

    • 1998 – Cho Oyu (8,201 m) – Nepal/Tibet

 

• Fastest woman to climb all 14 eight-thousanders (92 days) – Kristin Harila (Norway) — 27 July 2023

• Youngest woman to climb all 14 eight-thousanders – Adriana Brownlee (UK) — 9 October 2024

 

K2

At 8,611 m (28,251 ft), K2 is the world’s second-highest mountain, straddling the China–Pakistan border. Known as the “Savage Mountain”, it is famed for its steep, dangerous climbs and extreme weather.

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• First woman to reach the summit of K2 – Wanda Rutkiewicz (Poland) — 23 June 1986

• First Norwegian woman to successfully climb K2 – Cecilie Skog (Norway) — 1 August 2008

• First woman to climb K2 without supplemental oxygen – Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner (Austria) — 23 August 2011

• First Nepali women to climb K2 – Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita, Maya Sherpa, and Dawa Yangzum Sherpa (Nepal) — 26 July 2014

• First British and American woman to summit K2, and eldest woman to summit K2 (age 52) – Vanessa O’Brien (USA/UK) — 28 July 2017

• First German woman to summit K2 without supplemental oxygen – Anja Blacha (Germany) — 25 July 2019

• First Pakistani woman to climb K2 – Samina Baig (Pakistan) — 22 July 2022

• Youngest woman to climb K2 (age 21) – Adriana Brownlee (UK) — 28 July 2022

 

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The High Double - Everest & Lhotse back to back​

• First woman to summit both Everest and neighbouring 27,940-foot Lhotse in 24 hours – Hilaree Nelson (USA) — 25 May 2012

• Fastest woman to climb Mount Everest and Lhotse (under 10 hours) – Kristin Harila (Norway) — 22 May 2022

• First Azerbaijani woman to summit Mount Everest and Lhotse Traverse – Vafa Musayeva (Azerbaijan) — 17 May 2025

• First British woman to complete the High Double – Rebecca Ferry (UK) — 2022

• First Nepali celebrity to complete Everest–Lhotse traverse (both peaks in under 24 hours) – Kabita Nepali (Nepal) — 19 May 2025

• Youngest woman to climb the Seven Summits and youngest American woman to summit Everest – Emma Schwerin (USA) — 15 May 2025

 

Himalayan ‘Triple Crown’ - Mount Everest, Lhotse & Nuptse consecutively

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• First American woman to complete the Himalayan Triple Crown – Ellen Miller (USA) — May 2012

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First Females Podcast by Tori James​

A podcast celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first female ascent of Mount Everest and recognising women in mountaineering.

 

Really interesting read re summits - Jurgalski Drops Bomb On Mountaineering History, But… 

 

Europe-Based Challenges

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Climbing every mountain in Europe or “The Crown of Europe Challenge”​

Consists of the highest peaks of each European country; totalling 50 countries but 48 peaks. This difference is because both France and Italy share the summit of Mont Blanc, while Albania and Macedonia share the peak of Mount Korab.

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• Currently pursuing the 7 Summits challenge (4 completed) and aiming to climb the “Crown of Europe” (17 of 48 peaks completed) – Marta Misztal (Poland)

• Climbed the highest peak in every European country (49 mountains) within one year; ultimately summited 61 mountains in total – Emma Svensson (Sweden) — 2017 — The Guardian article

 

82 peaks

82 mountains in the Alps that are over 4,000 meters high

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• Currently climbing all 4000-meter mountains in the Alps (no time limit) – Emma Svensson (Sweden) —  started 10 March 2022

 

A solo climb of 13 peaks over 3,000m in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Spain  - Emily Woodhouse (UK) - Solo and unsupported,  set a record for the most 3,000m peaks climbed in a week – a self-designed 150km route with 11,500m of ascent.

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Piolet d’Or​

An annual mountaineering award established in 1992, presented by the French magazine Montagnes and the Groupe de Haute Montagne (GHM). It recognises outstanding ascents in the world of alpinism.

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• Winner of the 12th Lifetime Achievement Award – Catherine Destivelle (France) — 2020

 

UK-Based Challenges

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3 Peaks Challenge​

UK 3 Peaks in 24 Hours is climbing the highest peaks in Scotland, England, and Wales – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon – within 24 hours, including all driving. This is a hugely popular challenge, with around 30,000 people attempting it each year.

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While iconic, it’s often criticised for long stretches of driving, hiking in the dark, and its impact on local environments. If you’re considering it, check out guidance on how to complete the challenge responsibly, and register at threepeakspartnership.co.uk.

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For records of the fastest completions, see the Three Peaks Challenge database.

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• Walking National Three Peaks Challenge (Female) – Ann Sayer MBE (UK) — 7 days 31 min — 1979

• National Three Peaks Challenge Cycle Solo (Female, no drafting) – Nina Barker — 54 h 22 min — 2018

• National Three Peaks Challenge Cycle Solo (Female, with drafting) – Samantha Stuart (Team SaveaLife) — 63 h 7 min — 2019

• National Three Peaks Challenge Run (Female) – Imogen “Imo” Boddy (UK) — 6 days 5 h 43 min (current Guinness World Record) — 2024

• National Three Peaks Challenge Relay Run (Female team) – No current holder

 

Yorkshire, UK 3 Peaks Challenge

This involves bagging Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough – the three highest mountains in Yorkshire – in under 12 hours.

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• Distance: ~39 km (25 miles)

• Total ascent: ~1,500 m

 

Race History - www.threepeaksrace.org/history

 

Today the race starts and finishes on the playing field in Horton-in-Ribblesdale, near Settle – its home since 1975. The race is usually run on the last Saturday in April. More than 800 runners will set off to complete a punishing 37.4k (23.3 miles) with 1,609 metres (5,279ft) of ascent and descent.

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Ladies competed for the first time in 1979 with Jean Lochhead, of Airedale and Spen Valley, winning in 3hrs 43mins 12secs.

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Today, the Three Peaks has the inov-8 all-terrain specialist equipment company as its main sponsor.

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Fastest Woman

• Victoria Wilkinson – 3:09:19 (2017, current record)

  • Also a winner in 2016, 2018, and 2019.

 

Welsh 3000ers

Bagging the 15 mountains in North Wales over 3,000ft in height. Visiting the Snowdon Massif, Glyderau and Carneddau, the route is about 50km (31 miles) in total with almost 4,000m of ascent. 

Watch my Welsh 3000s journey!

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• Day 1: The Snowdon Massif | Crib Goch | Garnedd Ugain | Snowdon​

• Day 2: The Glyderau | Elidir Fawr | Y Garn | Glyder Fawr | Glyder Fach

• Day 3: The Carneddau | The Final 7 mountains

 

The Welsh 3000s Challenge involves standing on top of all the 3000 ft peaks within 24 hours, using no transport. The 14 Peak Traverse - www.14peaks.com/index2.php?id=5

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In 1988, another peak was added taking the total to 15 mountains in Wales over 3,000ft - it became the Welsh 3000ers - the route is about 50km (31 miles) in total with almost 4,000m of ascent. The extra peak only adds an extra 5 mins. - so it doesn’t really impact the records.

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Angela Brand-Barker (née Carson) set the women’s course record on 5 August 1989, completing the traverse in 5 h 28 m 21 s, which still stands today.

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Nuttals Challenge

This involves summiting all 446 peaks in England and Wales over 2,000 ft (610 m), first catalogued by John and Anne Nuttall. Of these, 257 are in England and 189 in Wales, covering areas such as the Lake District, Snowdonia, and the Pennines.

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One notable achievement comes from Bryony Carter, who climbed all 257 English Nuttalls over five years. 

 

282 Scottish Munros 

“Munro bagging” involves climbing all 282 Scottish mountains over 3,000 ft (914 m), with some climbers completing multiple “rounds” over their lifetimes.

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• First woman to complete 10 rounds of all 282 Munros – Hazel Strachan (UK) — 2005–2018 (completed in ’05, ’08, ’10, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15, ’16, ’17 & ’18)

• Fastest continuous self-propelled Munro round (female record) – Jamie Aarons (USA) — 31 days 10 h 27 min — 26 June 2023

• First woman to reach the top of 282 Munros in one winter season – Anna Wells (UK) — 83 days — 2024

• Fastest known time for completing a full Winter Munro Round (female) – Helen Rennard — 80 days 9.5 h — 30 March 2025

 

Adventure Nic – Peak Bagging (Guidebook): A new guidebook offering detailed routes, tips, and inspiration for peak bagging enthusiasts.

 

USA-Based Challenges

 

• Youngest girl to summit the highest points of the contiguous United States (age 12) – Lucy Westlake (USA) — 22 July 2016

• Youngest female to climb all 50 of the U.S. state highpoints (age 17) – Lucy Westlake (USA) — 20 June 2021

 

Resources

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Communities

 

Facebook Group - Women of Mountaineering

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Organisations

 

British Mountaineering Council (BMC): thebmc.co.uk

Mountain Training (Qualifications): mountain-training.org/qualifications

Camping Leader | Lowland Leader | Hill and Moorland Leader | Mountain Leader | Winter Mountain Leader | International Mountain Leader

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