adventure & travel

Queens and Elevation Gains

Three Stories About Women's Impressive Achievements in Mountain Sports

10/12/2026

Rachel powers her way through storms and hail, through day and night.

The Marathon Handbook

Rachel Entrekin

Three women whose stories go far beyond records. Rachel Entrekin leaves the entire field in the dust. Sophie Woods crosses the Alps in record time and calls for more support for women in endurance sports. Lhakpa Sherpa fights for her freedom and returns to the mountains. What connects them? The question: “Why not me?”

Rachel Entrekin: the “Queen of Cocodona”

“Why not me?” After just 100 of over 400 kilometers, Rachel Entrekin is leading the Cocodona 250 Ultra Marathon. For a moment, the American’s decision to break away from the pack and take the lead on her own seems crazy. But then… “Why shouldn’t I be leading the race?” Suddenly it dawns on her: “Why not me?” Upon arriving at the next aid station, she realizes that her lead over her fellow runners must be at least a mile. Maybe she could make history in this race. For the second time in this race, Rachel breaks her “no crying until the finish line” rule.

Powered by Sisterhood

Together with friends who accompany her as pacers through some sections, Rachel runs through canyons, historic towns, rivers, deserts, and forests. Sometimes laughing at her companions’ stories, sometimes wistfully reminiscing about their shared adventures from days gone by, and sometimes doubting herself and weary from the hardships. Rachel powers her way through storms and hail, through day and night. Along the way, she stops only for “dirt naps,” to shoot some basketball, and to pet a dog. On the final climb, a woman from the Hopi tribe awaits her. She reminds Rachel of the impact of what Rachel was demonstrating—showing women everywhere just how strong they are—a true moment of empowerment, sisterhood, and shared strength. She gives the ultrarunner cornmeal, which in Hopi culture symbolizes life, strength, community, and harmony. With renewed energy, Rachel runs the entire length of the final climb and crosses the finish line with a sprint and an incredible time of 56 hours and 9 minutes. A new “Fastest Known Time” (FKT).

Rachel Entrekin: “Why not me?”

@precisionfandh

Rachel Entrekin

Sophie Woods: On Obstacles and Elevation Gain

Last July, Sophie Woods set out on her run through eight countries. The Via Alpina is the new adventure she’s been waiting for. While most people plan three to four months to cross the Alps, the New Zealander ran the more than 2,000-kilometer route—with over 117,000 meters of elevation gain—in just 28 days, 17 hours, and 59 minutes. For those who are having trouble wrapping their heads around these numbers: that’s an average of 69.6 kilometers and 4,056 meters of elevation gain per day. Every day. For almost a month.

The Via Alpina is the new adventure she's been waiting for.

Zoe Salt

Sophie Woods

More Than Just an Exception

In an interview with the Singletrack Podcast, Sophie puts her remarkable achievement into perspective: “It’s not that unusual. There are women out there who do really cool things every year. Give us a little trust and support, and we’ll show you what we’re capable of.” But why do women perform particularly well in these long endurance races? In an interview with the BBC, Sophie says that these results aren’t proportional because women only commit to something when they’re pretty sure they can see it through to the end. Men, on the other hand, usually just think, “Yeah, why not? I’ll give it a try.” That’s why you generally see women who have really prepared well to give themselves the best possible chance of finishing.”

We’re fighting for crumbs!

Sophie’s opinion on gender equality in this sport is clear: “It’s 2026, and we’re fighting over crumbs.” Just a few years ago, the top 10 men were honored, while only the top 5 women were recognized. In some races Sophie participated in— —there were cancellation options for injuries and business meetings, but not for pregnancies. Furthermore, in many races with a lottery system for starting spots, there still aren’t an equal number of spots for both genders. Women have also been neglected in sports research for decades. Sophie also feels the consequences of this neglect when she tries to get pregnant. “Should I compete in the race or not? Should I take a pregnancy test or not? Is that why I’m not getting pregnant?” So much is expected of women, and at the same time, Sophie says: “We compete in this sport without having the same level of support, guidance, or research behind us to actually be able to say: I know what I need to do for my female body.”

New “Fastest Known Time”

On August 1, 2026, Sophie Woods reaches Monaco and shatters the previous “Fastest Known Time” (FKT) on the Via Alpina. In just under 28 days and 18 hours, the New Zealander crossed the Alps from Muggia near Trieste to Monaco. In doing so, she beat the previous FKT by more than seven days.

Sophie Woods beat the previous FKT by more than seven days.

Zoe Salt

Sophie Woods

Lhakpa Sherpa: “Mountain Queen”

“When I stand on the roof of the world, I feel like a giant woman. I feel so strong.” By “the roof of the world,” Lhakpa Sherpa is referring to Mount Everest. The Nepalese woman is one of hundreds of climbers who successfully scaled the world’s highest mountain this summer. So why is the final part of this trilogy dedicated to Lhakpa, of all people?

Lhakpa was born in Nepal in 1973 and grew up in the shadow of Mount Everest. An old Nepalese proverb says, “Having a daughter is like watering a neighbor’s garden.” Unlike her brothers, Lhakpa does not have the opportunity to attend school and, like her sisters, is expected to be married off. However, Lhakpa is too tall, too tough, too bossy. She loves nature and wants to follow her heart. As the number of white, blue-eyed tourists in Nepal grows, Lhakpa’s brothers become porters. To conceal her gender, the Sherpani cuts her hair short so she can become a porter herself. She loves her work on Everest and the freedom of the outdoors.

Despite All Doubts

In 2000, Lhakpa wants to climb Mount Everest herself and seeks financial support. “Women talk nonsense”—no one believed in her. So Lhakpa enters a running competition and, by winning first place, earns enough money to open a small teahouse. Through a conversation with a businessman, she was able to present her case to the prime minister, who supported her cause. On May 18, 2000, the Sherpani fought her way to the summit despite poor weather conditions: “There was a rainbow at the summit, and I felt like the greatest female mountaineer of all time.” Lhakpa wants to inspire her Nepali sisters and all women, to show them what they’re capable of. When Lhakpa returns to her parents’ home, her father proudly calls her: “My son” (Excuse me, what?). Lhakpa continued working as a “kitchen helper” on Everest and met George Dijmarescu there. The two fell in love and climbed Mount Everest side by side. Afterward, Lhakpa moves to the U.S. with her Romanian-born partner; they have a daughter together and get married. George founds a mountaineering agency, and the two travel together to Nepal, where Lhakpa, with her third ascent of Everest, sets the record for the most ascents by a woman for the first time.

“When I stand on top of the world, I feel like a giant woman. I feel so strong.”

Sortiraparis.com

Lhakpa Sherpa

Violence Behind the Summit Story

Like an ominous harbinger, George’s domineering and hot-tempered nature surfaces for the first time during this expedition. He drinks heavily and becomes physically violent toward Lhakpa’s sister. During the expedition the following year, George also becomes violent toward Lhakpa. “Get this trash out of here,” he orders the Sherpas, telling them to carry an unconscious Lhakpa out of the tent. From then on, physical and psychological abuse become part of Lhakpa’s life. Nevertheless, the two climb Everest together for two more years. During their sixth ascent, Lhakpa discovers she is pregnant for the third time. After the birth of her second daughter, the Sherpani gives up mountaineering. She wants to protect her girls. Journalist and author Michael Kodas is also part of the 2004 expedition. He writes about the expedition, George’s character, and his violent behavior toward Lhakpa in magazines and later in his book *High Crimes*. After the book’s publication, George and Lhakpa began arguing more frequently. He beat her more often. He forbade her from joining the expeditions to Everest. Lhakpa is stuck at home, her husband’s “house Sherpa.” When George is diagnosed with cancer in 2010, Lhakpa assures him that she will take care of him and save him. But George remains her monster. He abuses Lhakpa, even in front of their daughters.

Lhakpa Sherpa wants to inspire other women, show them what they are capable of, and teach her daughters how to be brave.

@Mountain_Queen

Lhakpa Sherpa

The Road Back to Freedom

When Lhakpa was admitted to the hospital in 2011, she realized that George would one day carry out his death threats. She decided to leave her home behind and move into a women’s shelter with her children. Afterward, she found a job, moved to a different neighborhood, and divorced George. Ten years later, the Sherpani found her way back to Mount Everest for the first time and climbed her mountain for the seventh time in 2016. George tried to win Lhakpa back. But Lhakpa didn’t want to go back. “I didn’t want to die at the hands of this man. I want to die in peace on the mountain.”

Mountain Queen

In 2022, Lhakpa climbs Mount Everest for the tenth time and leaves her darkness behind. She funds the record-breaking ascent through a crowdfunding campaign and is accompanied by a film crew. Directed by Lucy Walker, the documentary *Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa* is produced. Through this endeavor, Lhakpa aims to inspire other women, demonstrate to them what they are capable of, and show her daughters how to be brave— “Women must not give up.” In July 2023, Lhakpa successfully climbs K2.

Lhakpa is one of many female climbers from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds who have achieved extraordinary successes on the mountain, each with inspiring and remarkable stories. Last summer, the Sherpani climbed Mount Everest for the 11th time.

Why not me?

Three women, three stories, and plenty of inspiration. They’re pushing boundaries and forging their own paths. Perhaps the question will linger in your mind, too: “Why not me?”

Bibliography

Film

Walker, Lucy (Director): Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa. USA 2023. Netflix, released on July 31, 2024. Netflix

Websites and Articles

Wikipedia: “Lhakpa Sherpa.” In: Wikipedia – The Free Encyclopedia. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lhakpa_Sherpa
Accessed September 21, 2026.

Alpin: “Via Alpina Article: Ultra-runner Sophie Woods Sets New Record.” Alpin.
https://www.alpin.de/home/news/64211/artikel_via_alpina__ultralaeuferin_sophie_woods_stellt_neue_bestzeit_auf.html
Accessed September 21, 2026.

Wikipedia: “Rachel Entrekin.” In: Wikipedia – The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Entrekin
Accessed September 21, 2026.

Entrekin, Rachel: “Incredibly Admirable and Confusing.” Rachel Entrekin / Substack.
https://rachelentrekin.substack.com/p/extremely-admirable-and-confusing
Accessed: September 21, 2026.

Aravaipa Running: “Cocodona 250.” https://www.aravaiparunning.com/cocodona/
Accessed: September 21, 2026.

Interviews/Videos

Singletrack: “Sophie Woods Via Alpina FKT” [Interview]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/ucQrl6OEals?si=J5m-7yJRxXtuaNu9
Accessed: September 21, 2026.

BBC: “Ultra Marathon Record Set by Sophie Woods Across the Alps” [Interview]. YouTube, August 2, 2026. https://youtu.be/hgQYJA1jksg?si=bRbv8fEotfP_0hHx
Accessed: September 21, 2026.

The people behind the article

Written by

Leandra Stengele

Roses are red, violets are blue, if there’s powder, I’m off — ciao ciao to you. Having grown up in Switzerland’s biggest city, I’ve found myself drawn to new places time and again over the past few years, taking inspiration from new experiences and the people I meet along the way. From music and dancing to culture, cold-water swimming and trying out new sports, I love exploring something new. In the end, though, I always find my way back outdoors and up into the mountains. Along the way, my enthusiasm for the natural sciences comes with me — a curiosity I keep feeding with new knowledge through my studies in Earth system and climate science.

Note

PowderGuide.com is nonprofit-making, so we are glad about any support. If you like to improve our DeepL translation backend, feel free to write an email to the editors with your suggestions for better understandings. Thanks a lot in advance!

Show original (German)

Topics

Snow of Tomorrow | Women in the Mountains, finding their Place in a Profoundly Gendered Environment

12/30/2024 • Lauréane Giroud-Lemaître

Think back to when you were learning about the mountains, to your last group outings, to the film festivals that thrilled you so much, to the expedition stories you devoured. Did you find women there? Were there many of them? How many women wrote these books, directed these films? How many are the protagonists? And in your practice groups, what place do they really occupy? In the male-dominated world of the mountains, where notions of physical strength, risk and danger predominate, women are poorly represented and have difficulty finding their place. A striking example is the professionalization of French mountain guides : only 2% of them are women (i.e. 30 out of 1,500 professionals) ! It's time to shine the spotlight on women's mountain activities, right up to the summits!
Youngster women power on ice

09/15/2024 • Marie Kaucher

A group of young women are standing on the glacier. One of the women is carefully lowered into a crevasse. She practises crevasse rescue with her rope team and climbs out of the crevasse with ice axes and crampons. The glacier is then surveyed with scientific equipment before returning to the expedition camp. So many women on a glacier? Even in times of legal equality, this is a rather rare sight. However, the idea of Girls* on Ice Austria (GOI) is not to be intimidated by this, but to go on an all-female expedition for this very reason.
Women, snowboarders and exotics

11/26/2017 • Lisa Amenda

The 1st European Women's Outdoor Summit took place in Flims/Laax from October 27 to 29, 2017. It was three days, 62 female outdoor athletes, lots of discussions, plenty of inspiration and the question: are women in outdoor sports really different to men? Lisa is a copywriter in the outdoor industry and blogs on wildrecreation.com about sustainability in outdoor sports, among other things. She reports from Flims for PG.

Cookies 🍪