The 2025 Grit & Rock grant winners were announced in early May. The program supports and promotes majority female expeditions of any nationality, funding teams of climbers within the categories of performance, exploration and apprenticeship.
“Over the past nine years we have seen a decrease in grant proposals supporting Himalayan big commitment ascents and a shift toward exploration and human powered journeys,” The grant’s founder, Masha Gordon, said in an email to Alpinist. “Another trend is all-female teams … this year all but one proposal were all-female teams, reflecting a big advance in female attainment in rock climbing and big wall performance.”
Recipients of the performance category and their objectives include: Allie Oaks and Angela VanWiemeersch (USA) to attempt a first ascent of Muz Tok peak (5066m) in Jiptik valley in Kyrgyzstan; Fay Manners (UK) and Michelle Dvorak (USA) to attempt a first ascent of Chaukhamba II (7068m) in the Uttarakhand region of India; Oksana Kochubei, Nadezhda Muzhikina, Nadezhda Pilschikova and Olga Paduchieva (Russia) to attempt a new route on White Sapphire (6040m) in Indian Kishtwar; Caro North (Switzerland), Belén Prados (Argentina) and Amelie Kühne (Germany) to attempt the first all-female ascent of the South African route on Torre Central in Chile in capsule style; Pachi Ibarra (Chile) and Celine Jaccard (Canada/Switzerland) to attempt to open new routes in Auyuittuq National Park on Baffin Island.
The exploration category is composed of Angelina Di Prinzio (Argentina), Catalina Unwin (Chile), and Paloma Farkas (USA) to attempt a new line on Cerro Steffen (3056m) on the southern Patagonian Icefield, which has only seen one successful ascent prior; Shira Biner (Canada), Natalie Afonina, Heather Smallpage and Char Tomlinson (USA) to attempt the first all-female big wall ascent on Canada’s Baffin Island, the human-powered journey involves plans to ski 150 meters to where they will establish base camp and return via paddle through Ayr lake then Kogalu river.
Apprenticeship grants were also awarded to the French National Female Alpine Team (ENAF) and the United Kingdom’s Young Alpinist Group.
Caro North directed her gratitude to Gordon. “While at the beginning she was just the woman behind Grit&Rock, now she is someone close I really enjoy talking with and sometimes ask for advice and help,” said North in an email to Alpinist. “For me, the dream or idea for an expedition always comes first and then I start thinking how to be able to realize it. Grit and Rock is definitely one of the first options I think of when I plan my expeditions with other women. I think it’s a really nice opportunity for women in alpinism.”
Belén Prados, North’s climbing partner, said it’s important for women to advocate for themselves and their goals with confidence. “As a woman, I’ve learned that If you want to lead a project, then you need to stand up for yourself,” said Prados. “If you need to get funding, then you definitely need to share your plans. And to share your plans, you first need to think about them, write them down, organize, select your partners, be convinced and communicate.”
In the nine years since the grant’s inception, organizers have contributed over $100,000 to more than 40 expeditions, as well as youth alpine groups. Details on how to apply for future awards are listed here or more information can be found by emailing [email protected].