The Victorian ladies who dared to scale the Matterhorn
In short: While mountaineering was often viewed as a male domain, pioneering women were already challenging the peaks of the Alps. This video explores the rivalry between two notable figures who sought to conquer one of the world's most iconic mountains.
The narrative of early alpinism often overlooks female pioneers like Lucy Walker and Marguerite Brevoort. Despite the era's social constraints, Walker famously ascended mountains in period-appropriate finery, including blouses and petticoats, braving the extreme cold of high altitudes.
Both women were prominent figures in climbing circles with their sights set on the Matterhorn. The video examines the competition between Walker and Brevoort—the latter being the aunt of W. A. B. Coolidge—to see who would achieve the first female ascent of this legendary peak.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Climbing Matterhorn: Women Ascending - European History - Part 2 - Extra History
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