Nasim Eshqi & Sina Heidari climb to new heights for human rights awareness

In September 2023, precisely one year after the violent death of Mahsa Amini in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Nasim Eshqi and Sina Heidari embarked on a new project aimed at "amplifying the voice of human rights and freedom through the mountain world." Entitled "When Mountains Speak", this involves establishing new routes across Europe and using their climbs, and their voice, as a platform to raise awareness about civil rights and women's rights movements.

The pair, which decided not to return to their home country after the 2022 protests, teamed up with Michel Piola last autumn. Wasting little time, the trio quickly forged a new line on Le Minaret, the slender 3450m granite tower above the Argentière Glacier in the Mont Blanc massif. The new climb tackles a line to the right of Eperon SE (Voie Rebuffat), breaches difficulties up to 6c in its six pitches, is protected by trad gear only, and is called Rise up for human rights.

A few weeks later the pair travelled to the Italian Dolomites where they joined forces with local guide Gianni Trepin and Arianna Capra to establish a new climb on Rosengarten / Catinaccio. The five-pitch outing tackles a line on the SE Face of Cresta di Davoi past grade VI+ difficulties, and has been called Woman, Life, Freedom.

When asked about the project, Eshqi explained "I carry with me the voice of Iranian women, the voice of freedom for all women who face oppression. These two climbs embody the power of successful teamwork, uniting alpinists who hold deep respect for human rights and women's rights. We believe that the power of the people is stronger than the people in power and through out routes we amplify the resounding voice of freedom, echoing through the beautiful and amazing walls of Mont Blanc and the Dolomites."