American Guides to Teach Climbing to Pakistani Women This Summer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Breaking New Grounds: American Guides to Teach Climbing to Pakistani Women This Summer

"So how will a shalwar kameez fit into a harness?"
That is one common question to Pakistani Women's Climbing Camp team members. The answer, like the answer to many questions about the ground breaking project, is "we'll see".
The seeds for the Pakistani Women's Climbing Camp were planted by the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) and the American Alpine Club (AAC) last year, and it is now the top collaboration of the two clubs for 2007.

A team of AAC representatives comprised of guides, a photographer and cinematographer – all of them women - will travel to Pakistan in July to facilitate a mountaineering course for up to 100 Pakistani women. The goal of the project, as set by the host, the ACP, is to expose women to the world of climbing and mountaineering. The women's experiences may lead to careers not previously available to them in a growing tourism industry, in mountain rescue or guiding.

An initial event, a rock climbing contest for girls, occurred a few weeks ago near Islamabad (http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/17/nat14.htm). Girls from several local schools (wearing pants and shirts and bare feet) scaled the walls for small prizes. The effort was the first of several organized by the ACP and Pakistan's Ministry of Tourism, culminating in the three week mountaineering course this summer.

The course will take place on and around the Passu and Batura glaciers in Northern Hunza, followed by an attempt 19,619-foot Kusheikh Peak, near Khunjerab Pass. Training will be progressive, starting with the basics of mountain survival, travel, and safety and leading into technical rock and ice climbing as well as glacier travel and self-rescue.

Pakistan is home to three major mountain ranges - the Himalaya, Karakoram and Pamir - and K2, the second highest mountain in the world. The climbing tourism industry continues to grow there as well as the popularity of the sport among Pakistani nationals. In general, Pakistani women have previously been unable to learn to climb as cultural norms do not allow contact between men and women who are not directly related and all the climbing instructors in Pakistan are men.

The project may receive the official endorsement of Sehba Musharraf, the First Lady of Pakistan, which will encourage participation. "Pakistan is the only country in the world containing what is known as one of the 'greater ranges' that has seen no significant ascents by one of their own women," explains team member and AAC board member Charlotte Fox. "This is a socially acceptable attempt between our two countries to change that. The implications have the potential to be far reaching for women of vastly differing cultural circumstances. Hopefully, it will be the first of many camps."

At a time when their cultures seem increasingly more divergent, the American Alpine Club and Alpine Club of Pakistan have found accord in the mountains for nearly thirty years. Last year’s joint earthquake relief efforts resulted in 28 tons of supplies being distributed within the earthquake zone and with funds raised, the building and outfitting of a girl’s school.
"We anticipate a lot of support, considering the international political and religious implications from this ground breaking effort between our two alpine clubs," says Fox.

Funding and gear are still needed for the camp. Donations can be made through the American Alpine Club (Don't forget to type 'Pakistani Womens Climbing Camp' in the 'Comments' section so that the donation is earmarked correctly) or the Mountain Fund (click 'donate now' and check off the Pakistani Womens Climbing Camp).

"The Mountain Fund has been steadfast in its support of this trip," adds team member Janet Bergman. "They have shared their resources to help get the word to those who are interested and to bring in the needed funding to make the trip a reality."To stay updated or learn more about the Pakistani Women's Climbing Camp, visit the team's blog at http://www.behno.blogspot.com/.