All American Women’s mAmas Dablam Expedition Successful

All American Women’s mAmas Dablam Expedition Successful

On November 9, 2003, two American women of the 2003 mAmas Dablam Women’s Expedition reached the Himalayan summit of Ama Dablam (22,494 ft) in Nepal. Angela Hawse and Ellie Pryor, already turned back several days before by extreme winds, climbed the dramatic Southwest ridge from their Camp 2 (19,500ft) in a 10-hour round-trip push. The nine American women, unsupported by Sherpas, were climbing to benefit the dZi Foundation.

All but two of the nine-member team were alumni of or guides with Chicks With Picks, a series of ice climbing seminars that teach both climbing skills and self-reliance in an all-women, non-competitive atmosphere, while at the same time, raise funds to support local women’s shelters.

The dZi Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Ridgeway, Colorado, directed by Jim Nowak and Kim Reynolds, that promotes the education, health and welfare of indigenous mountain communities in Asia. Funds raised by mAmas Dablam helped the dZi Foundation establish and support a residential facility that provides safe haven, shelter, education and medical assistance for young women in Sikkim, India.

“We were inspired by the energy and work that Chicks With Picks and dZi Foundation do for women,” Angela Hawse explained. “Our group came up with the plan a year and a half ago to raise money for the dZi project in Sikkim and to pull off a climb of one of the most beautiful mountains in the world.”

“The nature of the trip was all about laughter and fun. Everywhere we went we sang, laughed and reveled in the beauty of our surroundings. Raising money for the dZi Foundation gave us a sense of pride that was much greater than reaching the summit of the mountain,” Hawse said.

“We took a risk and used all new gear that we had never climbed in before,” observed Hawse. “With the support of Marmot, we were rewarded with excellent results. Their lightweight gear makes it possible for women like us to carry all our own loads up high.”

Expeditions members included: Angela Hawse, Kathy Cosley, Anna Keeling, Neena Jain, Heidi Wahl, Jen Grimes, Laurie Andrews, Ellie Pryor, and Julie Siemers. Other sponsors included: GoLite, Wild Roses, Sterling Ropes, Moving Comfort, Cloudveil, Climb High, Lowe Alpine Systems, Fox River, Isis, Sallie Shatz, Julbo and La Sportiva.

Millet One Sport Everest Boot  has made some minor changes by adding more Kevlar. USES Expeditions / High altitude / Mountaineering in extremely cold conditions / Isothermal to -75°F Gore-Tex® Top dry / Evazote Reinforcements with aramid threads. Avg. Weight: 5 lbs 13 oz Sizes: 5 - 14 DESCRIPTION Boot with semi-rigid shell and built-in Gore-Tex® gaiter reinforced by aramid threads, and removable inner slipper Automatic crampon attachment Non-compressive fastening Double zip, so easier to put on Microcellular midsole to increase insulation Removable inner slipper in aluminized alveolate Fiberglass and carbon footbed Cordura + Evazote upper Elasticated collar. Expedition footwear for mountaineering in conditions of extreme cold.  NOTE US SIZES LISTED. See more here.

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