Hi, I’m Liv; a UK Trad climber who, up until this summer, would never have called herself an Alpinist. This is the story of how I nearly cancelled a trip to the Alps about six times out of self doubt, and how it turned into one of the best weeks of my life.

Pre trip Wobbles and Wild Hope

I first found WAAC thanks to a last minute place on a Winter Mountaineering course back in 2023. Since then, I’ve been to a load of UK meets, made a bunch of amazing friends, and have now joined two international WAAC trips; though even saying that now feels surreal.

When sign up opened for the Courmayeur summer meet, I hesitated over the “book” button. I was terrified. I hadn’t done any alpine climbing in five years, wasn’t sure my fitness would be up to scratch, and was convinced I’d be trailing behind a group of superwomen. I almost didn’t go.

But something nudged me forward, maybe it was the thought of being in a women-led space, or just the knowledge that this sort of anxiety usually meant I was actually going to have an excellent time. I bit the bullet, booked my spot, and started preparing like mad.

Packing Chaos and Vanlife Firsts

Prep meant many things: panic ordering missing kit using WAAC’s very handy gear checklist (because why would I be organised and calm?), doing actual cardio for the first time in far too long (hello, reluctant hill reps), and roping in my excellent pal and fellow WAAC-er Jenny for ropework and efficiency weekends in the Lakes.

Somewhere in the chaos, I also decided to convert my van for the trip; because if I was going to be tired, sweaty, and sunburnt, I at least wanted to sleep somewhere familiar. Plus, I’m terrible at packing light, don’t love tents, and like my home comforts. (Kudos to the women who travelled by plane with minimal luggage!)

Fast forward to June, and there I was: driving solo from Newcastle to Courmayeur, bopping down French toll roads to cheesy pop music, eating tartelette framboise, and realising, this wasn’t scary. It was actually pretty fun. My first solo van trip abroad: check.

Basecamp, Safety Checks & Sisterhood

I rolled into Courmayeur on a sunny Saturday afternoon and was immediately whisked off for a river swim by Jenny, Helen and Catherine. That evening we all gathered in the shiny new basecamp tent; introductions, safety protocols, and the low buzz of anticipation filling the air.

Sunday was skills check day; a dreamily late 8am start (luxury compared to the week of alpine starts ahead) with our guides Tania, Cristina, Giulia, and Karin. We covered multi-pitch skills, ropework and efficiency, I even learnt some new knots and hitches. I loved seeing the nuance of how these things shift in an alpine environment compared to the UK trad world. The afternoon then

consisted of glacier travel and crevasse rescue refreshers.

It also gave us a chance to start forming partnerships and friendships, which, as it turned out, would become the beating heart of the whole trip. We returned to basecamp and had a full group catch up with Lou Reynolds; our main guide and coordinator! It was a great opportunity to ask about weather forecast sources, route recommendations, and any kit queries.

Walking out from skills check on the first day

The Climbing: A Whole Series of Firsts

Monday:

First alpine (alt) lead - Petit Flambeau’s NE Ridge with Helen, Jenny and Lois. We took the first Skyway lift, soaked in the glacier views, moved efficiently, and bagged a summit at 3440m before midday. Then coffee. Always coffee.

Tuesday:

Jenny and I tackled the Aiguilles Marbrées Traverse. More technical, more exposed, and a real employ of our ropework brains. We worked brilliantly as a team, even when our abseil left us short of the nice flat platform and we had to get creative getting safely back onto the glacier.

Then came a frantic pack and go, because…

Wednesday:

A group of 8 of us set out to summit Gran Paradiso (4061m)! On Tuesday evening Emma, Jenny, Helen, Catherine, El, Carla, Bethany and I walked up to Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II - my first ever hut night - feasting on a three course Italian hut dinner (pasta starter: yes please), scouting the boulder field before dark and getting a somewhat early night.

We set off at 3am and were the first group on the trail. Emma nailed the night nav, and by mid-morning, we’d reached the summit. My first 4000er! A bustling summit filled with guided parties and a surprised glance; “Eight women on an alpine route?!” Yes. Yes we are.

The descent involved glissading, tired legs, and a lot of coffee, cake, coca-cola and pasta at the hut before crashing into 5 minute naps. We hiked out and returned to camp in a haze of pride and exhaustion.

In the hut after the summit push - you can eat a sandwich while horizontal!

Friday:

Final route of the week: the Aiguille d’Entrèves Traverse with Lois. First lift up, on the route early, moving fast. We navigated some very grumpy alpinists and passed in awkward places, but laughed a lot, got the famous Flake Photo™, and ended with a well earned Rifugio Torino coffee.

Bethany and Clara on the way to Gran Paradiso Summit

Women in the Alps

It’s hard to describe what happens when you put 30+ women together in an alpine space where they’re trusted, supported, and encouraged to push themselves. There’s adventure, yes, but there’s also softness. Helping each other make lunches. Screaming laughter as you submerge in the glacial river. Quiet moments of encouragement on exposed ridges. Sharing snacks. Support when the fear or doubt creeps in. Excitement when discussing the next day’s plans in the big tent. Joy. So much joy.

For me, this trip was a mirror of everything I’ve found in WAAC: competence wrapped in kindness. Fun balanced with responsibility. Learning fuelled by laughter. And all of that exists because of the immense care and work that people like Jenny, El, Eloise and Jess put in. Their behind the scenes efforts; from logistics to safety, to holding emotional space, it makes WAAC what it is: a welcoming, empowering, game changing environment. I’m endlessly grateful for them.

Final Thoughts

This trip gave me so many firsts:

– First solo van trip abroad

– First alpine lead

– First 4000m peak

– First hut night

– First time truly seeing myself as someone who belongs in the Alps But more than that, it gave me a renewed sense of what I’m capable of, and a deeper love for the power of women in wild places. I came home stronger, steadier, and a little more sunburnt than when I left. And I can’t wait to do it all again.

An Alpine Trip of Firsts - 2025 International Meet by Liv Saunders

©2023 Women’s Alpine Adventure Club