Bolivian Cholitas climb the Andes to conquer emancipation

Perhaps this isn't an undertaking in absolute terms, but what this group of Bolivian women is currently achieving goes far beyond any records: they are trying to scale eight mountains above 6000m in the Andes. For themselves, but also and in particular as a mark of emancipation.

These women are members of the Aymara, the indigenous population in western Bolivia and southern Peru, and before setting out on this adventure they often worked as cooks or as porters, alongside their mountain guide husbands, for trekking agencies or climbing expeditions. Many of these women are aged between 40 and 50 and, driven by curiosity, two years they decided to climb up there and see for themselves what these these high peaks actually look like.

The particularity: these "cholitas" climb wearing their traditional skirts, extremely colorful and far removed from the modern climbing clothing. Despite being cumbersome, they have already climbed six summits, namely Acotango, Parinacota, Pomarapi, Huayna Potosí and Illimani. The biggest dream for the youngest in the group is to plant their Bolivian flag on Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America.

Some of the so-called "cholita climbers": Cecilia Llusco, Juana Rufina Llusco Alana, Janet Mamani Callisaya, Domitila Alana Llusco, Marga Alana Llusco, Virginia Quispe Colque, Pacesa Llusco Alana, Lidia Huayllas, Bertha Vetia, Dora Magueño, Ana Gonzales, Ceclia Llusko Alani