May 8th 2024.
Hafida Hdoubane and Elise Wortley share a common goal: to ensure that the stories of female adventurers from the past, present, and future are remembered and celebrated. Elise, an adventurer herself, has hiked through the Himalayas, trekked through Iran, and braved the Scottish Highlands, all while dressed in the same clothing and using the same equipment as female explorers from history. She believes in experiencing the world in the most authentic way possible, just like the women who came before her.
Elise explains that her passion for adventure was sparked at the age of sixteen when she read the book "My Journey to Lhasa" by Alexandra David-Néel. She was fascinated by the incredible journey of this female explorer who learned Tibetan and traveled through Asia at a time when women were expected to stay at home. Elise was amazed that she had never heard of Alexandra before and was inspired to follow in her footsteps.
Despite struggling with severe anxiety in her twenties, Elise never gave up on her dream of becoming an adventurer like Alexandra. She found solace and hope in her travels, and eventually, her passion for the great outdoors became an addiction. She even participated in the survival show "Alone" and spent weeks alone in the Canadian wilderness.
Elise is determined to bring attention to the stories of female adventurers who are often overlooked in history. She believes that while the adventures of men like Christopher Columbus and Bear Grylls are celebrated, the journeys of women are often forgotten. Dr. Adele Doran, an academic who has researched the barriers faced by women in adventure, agrees that there is still a lot of work to be done in promoting and supporting female adventurers.
Hafida Hdoubane, another adventurer, has also faced challenges as a woman in the industry. She became Morocco's first female mountain guide thirty years ago and has since embarked on countless expeditions, including climbing the highest peak in North Africa multiple times. She is passionate about exploring remote corners of Morocco and connecting with forgotten communities.
Both Hafida and Elise are determined to break stereotypes and inspire other women to pursue their own adventures. Despite the hurdles of safety concerns, family commitments, and financial constraints, they continue to push boundaries and prove that women are just as capable of embarking on daring journeys as men. And with research showing that the demand for female-led adventures is on the rise, it's clear that they are not alone in their pursuit. The stories of these female adventurers, both past and present, will no longer be overshadowed and will finally receive the recognition they deserve.
Hafida Hdoubane and Elise Wortley share a common goal: to ensure that the stories of female adventurers from the past, present, and future are not forgotten. Elise, an experienced hiker, has trekked through the Himalayas in a yak coat, explored Iran in a 1930s Burberry mac, and braved the Scottish Highlands in a 1940s cotton skirt and hobnail boots. What's more, she does it all while carrying a wooden backpack and staying in a battered linen tent, in an effort to truly immerse herself in the experience.
For Elise, this mission to uncover the untold tales of history's female explorers began when she was just sixteen. She stumbled upon a book called "My Journey to Lhasa" by Alexandra David-Néel, a remarkable woman who was the first Western female to meet the Dalai Lama and traveled through Asia for fourteen years at a time when women were expected to stay at home. Elise was struck by the fact that she had never heard of this extraordinary woman and was inspired to follow in her footsteps.
Despite her love for adventure, Elise's journey has not been an easy one. In her twenties, she suffered from severe anxiety, and even something as simple as getting on a bus or leaving the house felt like a great adventure. But it was the stories of Alexandra David-Néel that gave her hope and pushed her to overcome her struggles. Now, Elise is addicted to the great outdoors and has even appeared on the Channel 4 show "Alone," where she spent weeks surviving in the Canadian wilderness.
Elise's travels have also led her to discover a long list of female adventurers who have been overlooked in history. She is determined to bring their stories to light and give them the recognition they deserve. Dr Adele Doran, an academic at Sheffield Hallam University, has also conducted research on the barriers faced by women seeking adventure in the past. She believes that the adventure industry still primarily focuses on white, able-bodied, heterosexual men, but there is a growing demand for change.
This demand is evident in the research conducted by travel operator Intrepid Travel, which shows that more than two thirds of women consider themselves adventurous. In fact, the company has seen a rise in women seeking out female guides to take them on off-the-beaten-track adventures. However, there are still challenges that prevent many women from pursuing their adventurous dreams, such as safety concerns, family commitments, and the cost of travel.
Hafida Hdoubane, a 56-year-old adventurer, is another woman determined to break stereotypes. She became Morocco's first female mountain guide thirty years ago and has since explored remote corners of the country, connecting with forgotten communities along the way. She has climbed Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, countless times and has spent many nights under the stars.
Together, Hafida and Elise, along with a group of other inspiring female adventurers, are working towards a future where women's stories are not overshadowed by those of men. They are breaking barriers, pushing boundaries, and proving that adventure knows no gender. And with more and more women seeking out adventure, it's clear that the demand for change is only going to grow.
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