Can traditional attire survive the extreme altitudes of the Andes?
Join Eva zu Beck in the freezing Bolivian mountains to witness the Climbing Cholitas. This video follows their journey through the Condoriri Glacier, where these Indigenous women use mountaineering to challenge social expectations and reclaim their agency.
The Climbing Cholitas navigate difficult routes at extreme altitudes while wearing traditional pollera skirts. This practice serves as a powerful act of resistance against the conservative norms of their society. By mastering the mountains, they are redefining the identity of Indigenous women.
As Eva zu Beck attempts to follow their lead using ice picks and crampons, the film explores the intersection of cultural heritage and female empowerment. The trek through the Condoriri Glacier highlights how these climbers defy both gravity and social limitations.
Source: They Climb in Skirts… I Tried to Keep Up | Superskilled with Eva zu Beck | National Geographic
