In the heart of the Pacific Northwest stands the 10,786-foot summit of Komo Kulshan, or Mount Baker. This awe-inspiring peak is a challenge for even the most seasoned mountaineers. However daunting, this mountain became a classroom for Ava, one of our inaugural youth participants with the Summit Scholarship Foundation. As Ava climbed, an unforgettable journey unfolded alongside peers and fellow women mountaineers.
Nite Ize has been a proud sponsor of the AWE Summit Scholarship since its inception three years ago. We are passionate about providing women in underserved communities access to outdoor experiences, and the opportunity to live lifelong dreams. Applications for the 2022 Summit Scholarship are open through the end of January, and this year, AWExpeditions is offering 7 different scholarships for backpacking trips, mountaineering courses, and high-altitude expeditions for women of all walks of life. We talked with founder Sunny Stroeer about everything from how the scholarship was born, to what the future holds.
With the impacts of climate change becoming ever-present, protecting our planet is more important than ever. But for many of us, that goal seems out of reach, leaving us asking: How can I help? Well, there’s no day like Earth Day to get started! Keep reading for 6 easy ways to start thinking more sustainably, locally, and globally this Earth Day.
Last year, we worked with our friends at AWExpeditions to create a scholarship for one woman to travel to Nepal for a mountaineering trip of a lifetime. We are excited to announce that we have again partnered with AWExpeditions to bring the Summit Scholarship back for year two! We caught up with Melissa, last year’s Summit Scholarship recipient, to talk about her experience trekking to Everest Basecamp and summiting 20,305ft Island Peak with AWE. Read her interview here and prepare to be inspired.