Women Climbing in Style
In 1838 this woman climbed Mont Blanc with 18 bottles of wine, 26 roast chickens and a carrier pigeon.
The person in question was Henriette D'Angeville, who became the first woman to ascend Mont Blanc in her own particular style. Due to the al serend climbing attire for women at the time, she featured a controversial pair of knickerbockers, a corset to conceal them, and an exceedingly charming bonnet. Her clothes alone weighed 21 pounds.
Our friend, Maddy, for whom we met on the Camino two years ago in Spain, has convinced us that this will be our next walking tour. As you can see clothing attire for women has been modified since the days of Henriette.
Mont Blanc itself sits at 15,771 ft and is the 11th highest mountain in the world by geographic prominence. (the measure of the independence of a peak)
Why do you climb?
This is an age-old question first publicly asked in the 1920s of George Mallory during his attempts on Everest. His incredibly complex or dismissive answer was "Because it is there." This is similar to mine and no less understood by strangers, acquaintances, friends and some of my family. (for sure)
And there is a total of 9700m (31,800 feet) of altitude gain and loss, which is more than climbing Everest from sea level!
(But do not let that put you off. Yes, it is a challenge but, with the right planning and preparation, it is one that is within the capabilities of most - even me!)
It’s that last word that I’m clinging to most of all. You see, I am married to a mule,
a pack horse disguised as a Midwesterner. (This is usually when Michael interjects with a comment “At least she’s not calling me a jackass”) - not that there are moments … anyway I digress.
I do have concerns about my physical limitations. I’ve been an asthmatic for 60 years and I operate with half of a lung. I’ve been menopausal for 20 years which has dramatically affected my muscle tone and strength. Like Henrietta, I have experienced heart palpitations during moments of elevation gain and while teaching in the middle of a physical education unit to 5th graders, but THAT'S understandable …
(After many tests, I’ve been medically cleared so not to worry) The bottom line is something I will probably not modify for one simple reason: I am a terribly slow walker. I’ve been accused of this my whole life!
I like to call myself a methodical walker.
I like to take in the sights at a pace that suits me best. Sure! It slows things down a bit, but I don’t ask Michael to walk at my same pace. He needs to walk at his pace.
Before you get your Henriette bonnets in a bunch, there are benefits in being a slow walker. Michael reaches the Refugio before me and typically sets things up. When I arrive, bedding has been purchased, and bunks have been chosen. Perhaps a cocktail is awaiting … Let me tell you! There are perks in being a methodical walker!
No wonder that the cosmopolitan Henriette d’Angeville felt compelled to do better. She prepared the expedition carefully, gathered enough supplies to hold a gala, and had a special, seven-kilo outfit tailored for the occasion, which included a bonnet with a veil AND a boa!
This may have slowed her pace a bit, but in the end, the gala proved to be magnificent. (and with quite the view!)
Therefore, doesn’t that make it all worthwhile? Henrietta climbed 21 additional peaks. Whether she celebrated with her customary 18 bottles of wine and 26 roasted chickens with each climb, who is to say? The records do not indicate an equal extravagant style.
Yet in this month of honoring women, I personally would like to dedicate this week's blog to this particular extraordinary woman who demonstrated magnificent feats of mountaineering, and did so in style!
I leave you with this song by Susan Tedeschi “Gonna Move.”
