241: Elise Wortley, Celebrating Women Mountaineers

Iain is joined by adventurer Elise Wortley. In the last 7 years, Elise has taken on some hugely challenging projects to highlight some of the original – and largely forgotten - female mountaineers and explorers. 

What makes her ‘Woman With Altitude’ project unique is that she has climbed and trekked in places such as the Himalayas, the Alps and the Cairngorms using the same equipment and clothing that was available to her female predecessors at the time.

We discuss what it’s like trying to summit Mt Blanc in hobnail boots, how you source a wooden-framed backpack and the challenges of hiking in woollen knickerbockers. 

Elise also featured in the Channel 4 programme ‘Alone’ where she spend over a month in the Canadian wilderness completely alone. 

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SHOW NOTES

Listen to Iain’s previous interviews with:

·       BBC Ski Sunday presenter Chemmy Alcott
·       GB Snowsport CEO, Vicky Gosling 
·       Former Erna Low MD Joanna Yellowlees-Bound
·       Team GB freestyle skier, Zoe Atkin

Inghams are celebrating their 90th anniversary this winter (2:45)
Take a look at Elise’s website ‘Woman With Altitude’ (3:30)
Elise was inspired by Alexandra David-Neel’s book ‘My Journey to Lhasa’ (4:00)
Nan Sheperd wrote ‘The Living Mountain’ after hiking in the Cairngorms (11:30)
Find out more about Iain’s ski touring trip to Ben Lawers in Scotland (15:15)
Find out more about Elise’s Scottish adventure (15:30)
Jane Inglis-Clarke founded the Ladies' Scottish Climbing Club in 1908 (17:00)
Henriette d'Angeville was the first woman to climb Mont Blanc solo (17:30)
Look out for Henriette on the mural in the centre of Chamonix (18:15)
Elise’s hobnail boots were supplied by shoe specialists Trickers (20:15)
Dorothy Pilley wrote the book ‘Climbing Days’ and was the co-founder of the Pinnacle Club (24:00)
Elise travelled from Bastia to Monte Cinto in Corsica in February 2025 (24