The Evolution of Trailblazer: Carolyn Kimenya
Carolyn, one of our 2024 Summit Scholarship recipients, has been inspired by trailblazers her whole life. Those women who live courageously and call out injustices when they see them. Those who dare to walk paths that have not been trodden upon. And those who reach out to help others become their best selves. Because of these inspiring and strong women, Carolyn’s path has been illuminated, and she is free to pursue her own dreams and, in turn, become a trailblazer herself.
Since a young age, Carolyn has been enamoured with the spirit of adventure. During long drives to her grandparents, she would marvel at the hills and forests, dreaming of what it would be like to stand on top of one. Carolyn read wild fantasies about camping and being outdoors but didn’t know anyone who did such a thing. When she went to University, that all changed, and Carolyn’s dreams, quite literally, started coming true.
Today, Carolyn dreams big. She dreams of Peru’s Cordillera Blanca, the Himalayas, the Swiss Alps, and Aconcagua. And Carolyn’s appreciation for the outdoors, which she has nurtured for years, continues to empower her today. As Carolyn shares,
“The inexplicable happiness I derive from my adventurous escapades is a reminder that I'm living my childhood dreams.”
We had the opportunity to get to know Carolyn a little better, and we hope you take a moment to read her powerful words below. There is no doubt that Carolyn is still dreaming, quite literally, about the mountains. Let this trailblazing mountaineer show you that there's nothing that's impossible if you set your mind to it. Keep on scrolling to read.
Can you describe how you felt when you found out you had won? I was away on holiday when I received an email to suggest a time for a phone call. I thought more information was needed from me about my application. Alex called me in the evening, and as she began to share the number of applications they had received, my heart was racing with anticipation. I couldn't shake the feeling that at any moment, she would deliver the disappointing news: "Sorry, you didn't make it." It was, therefore, exhilarating hearing those words—you're going to Peru!
The next morning, I was still in disbelief. Had that call truly happened, or was it just a figment of my imagination? I had to check my call history, searching for confirmation that indeed, Alex and I had spoken.
While I was over the moon about passing this hurdle, I was equally terrified. This win meant that the news would soon be shared with the world, and being a person who tends to shy away from anything that draws attention to myself- I knew that things were about to change. I had to remind myself that it was important to share my story, to let go, to some extent the comforts of my private cocoon. I have benefitted from the many instances where people have been vulnerable to share their stories, and it was about time I stepped up to the challenge, be seen, and, even though I may not realize it, play a role in inspiring someone out there.
What do you do to fill up your days? When I’m not at work (teaching), I love to stay fit, so five days a week, for at least half an hour in the evenings, I work out. I also make time for some reading, which has made a huge impact on my life. Over the weekends, I join local hiking groups, which have helped me explore Addis, meet new people, and generally feel at home- having moved here a few months ago. Sundays are for rest and self-care. I stretch or do some yoga, listen to music, and catch up with friends. I believe in self-improvement, so I am always on the lookout for webinars- whether on career or general wellness.
How did you get started in adventuring? My adventurous spirit has been alive since childhood. My grandparents lived a long drive from us, and when I travelled to visit them, I would marvel at the hills and forests on the way. I always wondered what it felt like to be atop those hills. There was a massive one overlooking our window and I was intrigued when it was shrouded in fog on cold days. I just wanted to be up there.
I was equally inspired by the books I read- we did not own a television set, but I had access to books. I read adventure stories and these sparked in me wild fantasies of being able to camp and be outdoors, but I had never met anyone who did such a thing, so it remained just a dream. When I got to University, I wasted no time joining the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and quite literally, my dreams started materialising from that point. The inexplicable happiness I derive from my adventurous escapades is a reminder that I'm living my childhood dreams.
What barriers have you faced in mountaineering? One of the biggest obstacles is the cost, from expedition costs to finding a wide range of gear at a reasonable price. Most of the high-altitude mountains require a pretty penny, and sometimes, I have had to shelve plans for climbing because it wasn't financially viable. This includes the preparation hikes and other activities, such as rock climbing lessons needed to get ready
Having the right gear goes a long way to ensuring comfort while climbing, and it's by sheer luck that the elements have held steady a number of times on my adventures when I knew my gear was probably not ideal. While we can get some thrifted gear, few shops have everything you need locally (which costs an arm and a leg). Sometimes, one has to ship from abroad, wait for months for the arrival, and hope that when they do, the fit will be right.
As a working individual, time is another factor that comes into play. I have to pick ventures that coincide with the times I am off work. This means sometimes passing up opportunities that do not align with my work calendar when I have to be on duty.
A final factor is access. Especially for climbs in countries where visas have to be obtained, the process can sometimes be quite frustrating. I hope that with more people venturing out, we shall have smoother processes, allowing more people to go anywhere in the world.
Tell us about a time in the outdoors that solidified your love and desire for mountaineering. My very first hiking expedition was really challenging, especially ascending the hills while huffing and puffing. I remember a certain point where I turned around and looked at where we had come from. I couldn't believe that I had actually covered the entire section of forest visible from our vantage point. It was so empowering. I felt like such a badass! Being able to persevere through challenging terrain and coming out on the other side showed me that there's so much power inside me. I was able to do difficult things!
Tell us about a person that inspires you. This is a difficult one because several people come to mind. I am inspired by individuals who live courageously—setting a precedent for others to be audacious, those who call out injustices when they see them giving a voice to the voiceless, those who dare to walk paths that have not been trodden upon, and those who reach out to help others become their best selves. Can we talk about the ladies behind this scholarship as an example? I am also inspired by mountaineering women who have accomplished incredible feats in the outdoors because their resilience inspires me to dare to dream beyond my self-limiting beliefs.
Bringing it even closer to town, my homegirls RK, GK, JoyMay, you're my superheroes.
Tell us about your biggest mountaineering ambition or dream! The Swiss Alps and the Himalayas have been on my wish list for a long while. Most recently, I've added Aconcagua to my list. If life has taught me anything, it is to never limit the size of my dreams, even if, at the moment, I do not know how they will come together.
What do you hope to learn during your experience as a Summit Scholarship recipient? I am excited to interact with adventurers from different parts of the world and share our experiences. I look forward to coming from this experience with a better handle on technical climbing because that is one aspect that I haven't had exposure to. I also hope to gain insight into other opportunities that may be available beyond the scholarship and how I can lend my support to the cause.
Carolyn - thank you for being an inspiration to all of us and for reminding us to dream big. We cannot wait to have you join AWExpedition’s team on Nevado Ishinca and Nevado Tocllaraju in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca this summer. To follow along with Carolyn’s journey, head to @phitchronicles and our expedition partner AWExpedition’s Instagram or Facebook.
