Aubryanna’s Path from New Mexico to Mount Baker
Aubryanna, one of our 2024 Summit Scholarship recipients, embodies the spirit of adventure and perseverance. Balancing a rigorous schedule of figure skating, dance practice, and schoolwork, Aubryanna still finds time to fuel her passion for the outdoors.
Her journey towards discovering her love for the great outdoors began with summer visits to see her uncle in New Mexico, where she was introduced to rock climbing, bouldering, and the immense beauty of the mountains. Aubryanna’s love for the outdoors has continued to grow over the years, fueled by the adrenaline and fun of her first outdoor climbing experiences in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and now she visits her uncle each year so she can continue to build on her experience and reach for bigger and bigger peaks.
Aubryanna's connection to nature is deeply rooted in the sense of freedom and joy she feels when exploring the great outdoors. Whether she's hiking, biking, or climbing, the fresh air and beautiful landscapes provide her with a sense of peace and fulfillment. She is eager to learn more, and we know that Mount Baker will be the perfect place for Aubryanna to learn a few new skills and meet an incredible community of climbers.
We had the opportunity to get to know Aubryanna a little better, and we’re more than inspired by her ability to push herself while reaching for bigger peaks, new experiences, and new skills. Keep on scrolling to read Aubryanna’s stories and thoughts below.
Hi Aubryanna! Can you describe how you felt when you found out you had won? I was absolutely ecstatic. I really never expected this to happen, so when I opened the email and saw that I had won, I had to stop myself from screaming in excitement because I was in school.
What do you do to fill up your days? I figure skate in the mornings, then I go to school. After school, I have dance practice, or I workout and do homework. On the weekends, I skate, do homework, and hang out with my friends.
How did you get started in adventuring? Every summer since I can remember, I've visited my uncle in New Mexico, where we would always go rock climbing. We've since gone on hikes, outdoor bouldering, paddle boarding, and always indoor climbing. He started my love of adventure which has just continued to grow.
What barriers have you faced in outdoor spaces? I've only ever done basic hiking or climbing because it's so expensive to do actual mountaineering. I've never found an opportunity that I can pursue, especially as a young woman with no experience, until now.
Tell us about a time in the outdoors that solidified your love and desire for mountaineering. My first-time mountain climbing outdoors solidified my love for really being in nature. I've always loved being outside, walking, biking, hiking, and just being in the fresh air. I've also always loved rock climbing, even though I don't get to do it that often. My first experience with outdoor climbing was bouldering two years ago in the mountains near Taos. I started on a little rock which was over a stream. The adrenaline was exhilarating, and I wanted to do more. I moved on to the actual mountain face and traversed the wall. I didn't go that high or do anything too hard, but it was the most fun I've had in nature and really solidified my love for climbing, mountains, and the outdoors. Since then I've done top roping on bigger mountains, and my love continues to grow. I want to continue to build my experience and want to face bigger challenges and bigger mountains like Mount Baker.
Tell us about a person that inspires you. My uncle is the reason why I'm so interested in the outdoors, so he inspired me to pursue this scholarship in the first place. He used to race mountain bikes and climb huge mountains. He was an outdoor rock climbing guide for a while, so he used that knowledge to teach me. He still bikes and rock climbs in New Mexico, and I join him every summer.
Tell us about your biggest mountaineering ambition or dream! Currently, my biggest mountaineering dream is to climb Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico. I've never had any mountaineering experience, so maybe after Mount Baker, I'll aim for bigger mountains. But right now, I'd love to climb in New Mexico because that's where I started in the outdoors.
What do you hope to learn during your experience as a Summit Scholarship recipient? My main goal is to experience the mountaineering environment because I've never done anything like this before. I hope to learn how to climb and all of the gear and things that have to be done each day. Since this is a beginner experience, I hope that it will be perfect for me to learn the ins and outs of mountaineering.
Aubryanna—we hope that Mount Baker unlocks the keys to more adventures for you and your uncle, as well as new adventures with our Summit Scholarship community. We have no doubt you’ll enjoy the ride and pick up some inspiration for future climbs. To follow along with Aubryanna’s journey, head to our expedition partner AWExpedition’s Instagram or Facebook.
