I’m crowdfunding for a collaborative project to bring the amazing Cholita Climbers to Scotland.

This collective of Aymara Indigenous women climb and guide the highest mountains in Bolivia, dressed in their signature pollera style: huge colourful skirts and petticoats.

The Cholitas have overcome many barriers to reach this freedom and power. For generations, they were targets for discrimination. (Their name comes from the Spanish word ‘chola’ – meaning mixed-race, ‘halfbreed’ or ‘civilised Indian’.)

Mountains are part of their journey towards empowerment. In 2019, five Cholitas defied expectations and climbed Aconcagua (6,961m) the highest mountain in South America! They work as guides in the high mountains – and now they are training to climb Everest. Their aim is to be the first women to stand on top of the world wearing skirts!

In 2024 I travelled to Bolivia where I climbed with and interviewed the Cholita climbers. We stayed in touch and they say it is their dream to visit Scotland.

You can read more about these amazing women in my article for The Great Outdoors Magazine.

Help us make this cultural exchange happen!

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The Plan

With your support, Julia, Elena and Judith will visit Scotland in Feb/March 2027 for 2 weeks. They will take part in the International Scottish Winter Climbing Meet organised by Mountaineering Scotland. Here they will meet climbers from all around the world and develop their skills in technical winter climbing.

This will help the Cholitas to develop as climbers, giving them new skills as well as opportunities for international networking – as well as having fun and inspiring people across Scotland!

£12,000 will enable us to cover all expenses for 3 cholita climbers to visit Scotland, including visas, flights, travel, accommodation, food and the fee for participating in the Winter Climbing Meet. We will also cover their loss of earnings while on the visit so that they can continue to support their families at home.

Any extra we raise we will put towards buying quality mountain equipment to gift to the cholitas for use in Bolivia and on Everest.

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Thank you / tapadh leat / gracias

from the project team - Anna, Shauna and Lily x