Forging New Paths: Margie’s Journey from Kenya to the Australian Alpine

In the highlands of Kenya, amidst the vibrant rhythms of Nairobi, Margie’s love for the mountains blossomed. From the rolling hills of her homeland to the towering peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro, her journey as a mountaineer has been one of passion, perseverance, and breaking boundaries. Now, as she reflects on her experience with the Australian Alpine Academy's all-women expedition to Mount Kosciuszko, Margie’s story echoes the transformative power of adventure and friendship in the backcountry.

A Quest for Alpine Adventure and Empowerment

Margie’s thirst for adventure led her to dream of scaling heights beyond the African continent. With a desire to experience alpine conditions and venture on her first expedition outside of Africa, she eagerly anticipated this expedition and its invitation to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko, an opportunity to trek beyond her familiar horizons and embrace the challenges of high-altitude trekking.

Margie, taking her first steps into the alpine environment on Australia’s Mount Kosciuszko.

But for Margie, a seasoned trekker, this would also be her first opportunity to climb on an all-women’s team. Something she also had to dream of, as mountaineering in Kenya (and in most of Africa) has been pioneered by men. In Margie’s six years of hiking, she has only met one female lead guide and a handful of female porters.  

“Coming from a culture where the rite of passage of a lady has 'marriage and children' deeply entrenched, it has taken a lot of time for others to understand why I hike, why I spend so much money and time going to the mountains even going back to a mountain or trail that I have already been to before.”

As Margie’s anticipation grew, preparations for the Australian Alpine Academy also continued, And in due time, Margie’s experience on an all-women's team would become one of her most defining moments on the mountain. 

Sisterhood on the Trail: Bonding Through Adventure

As Margie reflects on her first expedition outside of Africa, she is struck by the shared love for the outdoors that her all-women’s team emulated. Margie found her people. She found a bond that transcends cultural barriers and geographical distances.  

"No matter how diverse our backgrounds, we faced similar challenges, fears, and joys." 

Trail sisters for life - a bond that transcends cultural barriers and geographical distances.

In the company of her trail sisters, Margie reveled in the unity and empowerment that warmed her spirit and enriched her journey. But through the Summit Scholarship, Margie returned to Kenya with renewed joy and strength to support an all-women’s hiking community in Africa. 

We Rise by Lifting Others

As you’ve caught on, Margie’s expedition to Australia’s alpine is more than a personal success—it’s a testament to the transformative power of adventure and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Through her participation in the Summit Scholarship, she has not only shattered stereotypes and allowed her own dreams to flourish but she also paved the way for future generations of lady mountaineers across the world. As Margie shares, gender equity is embodied by the phrase - we rise by lifting others. 

The feeling of support and empowerment is palpable in Margie’s smile.

In Africa, those cultural and societal norms have made women doubt their capabilities, especially on the mountain. But for Margie, this experience has reignited a mantra that our dreams are valid. 

“I have now gotten a nudge to wonder at mountains far and wide and to believe that it is possible to see, hike, and climb them.”

And this same nudge inspires Margie to continue to break barriers in Kenya and beyond. Women don’t have to look or talk a certain way. They don’t have to do the ‘easier’ jobs or have predetermined roles at home or the workplace. Women can earn money, play sports, and climb mountains. Women can do whatever adventure they dream up and take the journey of life, wherever that may lead. 

As Margie’s journey continues, she dreams of scaling even greater heights, both literally and metaphorically. 

"I dream of my first 6,000-meter mountain and smell how the air smells like up there." 

There is no doubt that Margie’s trailblazing expedition with the Australian Alpine Academy is a testament to the transformative power of adventure and the boundless potential of the human spirit. Through perseverance, unity, and a shared passion for the outdoors, Margie and her fellow adventurers have not only scaled peaks but also ignited a flame of empowerment that will illuminate the paths of future generations.