In 1838, a woman climbed Mont Blanc with 18 bottles of wine, 26 roast chickens and a carrier pigeon. Why are we only hearing about this now?!
The person in question was Henriette D’Angeville, who became the first woman to complete the ascent unaided. Her outfit, homemade as there were no climbing clothes for women at the time, included a controversial pair of knickerbockers, a corset to cover them up and a very fetching bonnet.
The reason we’re only hearing about this now is because this summer adventurer, writer and presenter Lise Wortley (aka Woman with Altitude) is going to recreate the climb. Probably minus the wine, but in the same brilliant outfit. It’s part of her ongoing mission to highlight female explorers and pioneers who’ve been left out of the history books, and to inspire more women to take to the outdoors. We’ll be working with her on her training walks in six of the UK’s national parks and helping her raise awareness of her mission.
When Henriette D’Angeville reached the summit of Mont Blanc, she had her guides lift her into the air so that she could “go higher than any man has before.” With Lise’s help, she’s going to keep soaring.
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