Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

5-2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Kinesiology and Sport Studies

Major Professor

Lars Dzikus

Committee Members

Lars Dzikus, Adam Love, Guy Harrison, Natalie Welch

Abstract

In the heart of the South American Andes, Indigenous women are redefining mountaineering by climbing the region’s highest peaks. Among them, the Cholitas Escaladoras are particularly visible, known for wearing traditional polleras (multi-layered skirts) while ascending summits in their native lands. Their distinctive attire symbolizes complex intersection of Indigenous, gender, cultural, and social identities. While gaining global recognition, their participation in high-altitude mountaineering remains underexplored in academic literature. Media representations often reduce them to “women in skirts,” overshadowing their athleticism, agency, and activism. This study also acknowledges other Indigenous women climbers from Bolivia and Peru who wear technical gear but share similar cultural beliefs and mountaineering passions. Regardless of attire, these women are collectively transforming gender norms and challenging social expectations in a male-dominated domain.

Grounded in Indigenous feminism, this study explores how Indigenous Andean women construct, negotiate, and express their identities through mountaineering. It also examines how they perceive and respond to media portrayals, using mountaineering as a platform for cultural reclamation and social change. Data collection took place between summer 2023 and winter 2024 through participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and follow-up interviews using snowball sampling. The final sample included 10 Indigenous Andean women climbers, offering rich, thick, and saturating insights.

Drawing on narrative inquiry and thematic analysis, five key themes emerged: intersected identities, relationship with the mountain, media perceptions, overcoming challenges, and advocacy for change. Visual storytelling complemented participants’ narratives, supported by secondary sources such as the Cholitas documentary, photographs, artwork, and Instagram posts surrounding the handle #cholitaescaladoras or similar. Findings revealed how mountaineering serves as a platform for empowerment, activism, and cultural affirmation. While some embrace visible markers like the pollera, others emphasize language preservation or community values, reflecting the complexity of Indigenous identity. Despite growing visibility, media portrayals often oversimplify their identities. Yet, these women are actively reshaping narratives to reflect their multifaceted realities. Through expeditions to Aconcagua, and the upcoming Everest ascent (2025), they are breaking barriers and asserting their place in elite adventure sports. This study contributes to scholarship on gender, Indigenous identity, media, and sports, offering a nuanced understanding of resistance and transformation in high-altitude spaces.

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