The award funds expeditions of all types, including high-altitude first ascents and mapping and exploration projects.
Climber Masha Gordon has a mission. She founded her nonprofit Grit&Rock in 2016 with two goals. The first: help teenage girls develop self-confidence and mental toughness through the avenue of climbing. The second: provide funding for female adventurers to rack up explorations and first ascents.
So far, so good. Since its founding, Grit&Rock has funded over 30 expeditions in gnarly locations all over the world through the First Ascent Expedition Award.
Grit&Rock awards the grant yearly in three categories: Performance, Exploration, and Apprenticeship/Special Prize.
Per Grit&Rock’s website, the Performance category is “reserved for ambitious high-altitude ascents where the degree of difficulty is carefully matched by a well-demonstrated skill.”
The Exploration category is for “beautifully crafted and well thought through projects on a smaller scale,” while the Apprenticeship/Special Prize is designed to advance the “alpine skills and independence of those who are making further steps in their climbing career.”
As of this writing, Grit&Rock is accepting applications in all three categories. The application window closes on Feb. 28, 2023.
Patagonia and Beyond
