The Cholita Climbers, a group of native Aymara women, have proven with their courage and determination that no stigma can stop them from reaching the heights of their dreams. These women, hailing from Bolivia, are recognized for scaling some of the tallest mountains in South America while proudly wearing their traditional clothing.
For them, climbing is not just a dream, a goal, or an objective. It’s part of a struggle that spans generations. Historically, Bolivian indigenous women were denied the freedom to walk in the affluent or central areas of the capital.
Today, these women demonstrate that their heritage is invaluable, and reclaiming their paths is only the beginning—they aim to climb even higher. They have even reached Mount Everest, adorned in their iconic high hats, long braids, and brightly colored shawls, skirts, and petticoats.
Their name, Cholita Climbers, originates from the word “cholita,” which was once a pejorative term but has been reclaimed by Aymara and Quechua women. Here’s more about their incredible journey.
Who Are The Cholita Climbers Who Took on Everest?
Equipped with ice picks, boots, ropes, and their traditional shawls in place of backpacks, Dora Magueño Machaca, Ana Lía Gonzales Magueño, Cecilia Llusco Alaña, Lidia Huayllas Estrada, and Elena Quispe Tincuta scaled Argentina’s Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak outside of Asia, in January 2019.
Since then, they’ve launched a fundraising campaign to climb Everest. Their mission is to show that determination and passion can help anyone reach new heights. They also aim to create a network of women mountaineers from Bolivia and Nepal, promoting the representation of indigenous voices in the mountaineering world. As they often say, “the mountain does not discriminate.”
Read also: How Did He Get There?! Dog Is Captured at the Top of the Pyramid of Giza
For the Cholitas Escaladoras, climbing these mountains isn’t just about personal achievement—it’s also a means of gaining economic independence and contributing to their families. However, the challenges they face go beyond the physical difficulty of the climbs. They are also battling against climate change, as tropical glaciers rapidly retreat.
More than 99% of the world’s tropical glaciers are located in the Andes, with Bolivia hosting 20% of them. These glaciers are incredibly sensitive to climate changes, and their retreat poses significant risks for the future.
Their remarkable feats have captured the world’s attention, inspiring the documentary Cholitas, which chronicles their incredible journey.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Perla Vallejo in Ecoosfera.
