Out of a strong field of applicants, we’ve selected two brilliant women to attend our inaugural programme
Back in issue 118 (Sep/Oct ’23) we launched our new initiative to encourage women to push their mountaineering pursuits further, and help even up the imbalance between the numbers of men and women reaching the pinnacle of mountaineering, whether that’s going on cutting-edge expeditions or gaining guide or mountaineering instructor status.
The Trek & Mountain Women’s Mountaineering Mentorship Programme, sponsored by Montane, offers guidance and training from leading British mountaineer and Montane athlete Becky Coles and consists of both one-on-one sessions to discuss the women’s aims and aspirations – and develop an action plan and goals – and on-the-hill training in both summer and winter conditions.
Out of the many brilliant applications we received to join the programme, the two women we’ve chosen are Lorna Eaton-Brown (above, right) and Cara Borzych (above, left), both passionate about the outdoors and both keen to learn from the vast experience that Becky Coles has accrued over the years.
Becky Coles at work in North Wales
Cara, currently living in North Devon and working as a Development Trainer/Outdoor Instructor, has ambitions to gain her Mountaineering and Climbing Award in 2024, and is hoping that participating on the programme will be “a valuable stepping stone to get me into a position of feeling as though I can trust myself and generate confident decisions and experiences in more interesting, intricate and intimidating places.”
Kentish-born Lorna has been active in the outdoors for many years and has lots of hiking, climbing and skiing adventures under her belt, but perhaps has lacked confidence at times in pushing herself further. Her hopes for the programme include “having someone to ask all the questions to, to remind me of all the things I have forgotten and perhaps most importantly to inspire me when I need reminding that it is possible.”
You can read about Cara and Lorna’s first hill day with Becky – winter training in the Highlands – in issue 121 of Trek & Mountain (on sale March 2024) and you can also find updates on our Facebook Twitter and Instagram pages.
RELATED LINKS
Montane
Rebecca Coles