Kirsten Kremer knows a thing or two about climbing mountains.
As long as she can remember, climbing peaks and scaling rock walls has been her thing, along with skiing, paragliding and skydiving. For some, Kremer appears to be somewhat of an adrenaline junkie. She says that in the past 13 years she's lived, climbed and guided in Alaska, exploring nature's wonders is exactly what she was put on this green Earth to do.
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“Culturally in Pakistan, women don't get involved with climbing because the Islamic religion doesn't allow for it,” Kremer said.
“I have a ton of interest in doing this and to be able to show these women that they can gravitate towards greatness is just amazing,” she said.
Sponsored by the Pakistani and American Alpine Clubs, Kremer and the other professional climbers volunteered to teach the three-week crash course to more than 100 Pakistan women who signed on from various colleges and institutions to experience what is considered by many in Pakistan a man's sport.
As Pakistani women are endeavoring to find their place a male-dominated society, the Alpine Club of Pakistan has chalked out plans to expose these women to the fold of nature's endowment, Kremer said.
“I suspect once we're there and these girls see what we're doing that some may filter out of the 100 quickly because of fear,” she said. “Or, they will see this type of work, and it is work, is just not for them.”
The program was developed with the support of American Alpine Club, which will send women instructors to train the interested young girls and women in the art of rock climbing and mountaineering, ending with a 19,000-foot climb on the Khushaikh Peak near the China and Pakistan border.
Leading the American Alpine Club pack is team leader Heidi Kloos, accompanied by guides Janet Bergman, Sonja Nelson, Lisa Rust and Molly Loomis. Originally, Kremer did not make the first roster of national female climbers to attend the mountaineering expedition.
“I'm the newbie of the group,” Kremer said. “The organizer, Charlotte Fox, was on board, but then she blew her knee out on a climb, so I got on board through word of mouth.”
Kremer had joined her friend Bergman last year in Argentina on a climbing expedition and has guided Denali tours with fellow climber Kloss. She's no stranger to the rocky regions of the Americas. Kremer's passion has taken her to Thailand, Laos, Nepal, France and Patagonia. She now hopes this trip to Pakistan will further her passion for the sport.
Organizing a fundraiser to help get to her destination, Kremer said that even though The Alpine Clubs and small grants are fronting much of her day-to-day costs, funding is scarce. She'll need help from the private sector in order to purchase necessary equipment and to cover travel expenses.
Kremer recently has rented out the Wild Berry Theater behind the Sourdough Mining Co. in Anchorage to present a slide show of her other continental excursions to an interested public. But with her departure date of July 16 approaching, Kremer hopes fans of her sport will come support her cause and get her on her way.
“I know it seems a little dangerous,” Kremer said. “I really want to see these mountains, but mostly I want to make a difference for these women in general. I feel like that's a good moral standard. The more educated and the more opportunities these women have, the more it will effect the world on a peaceful level.”
Kremer said that when she climbs she gets a rush like no other. The looming drop below, the craft of body placement on the rocks. It's an experience that will open the eyes of the women she'll meet overseas.
“I'm pretty safe, but only because I spent all of my life crafting the sport,” Kremer said. “It's a gift worth giving back.”
Kremer will present her slideshow production at the Wild Berry Theater at 9:30 p.m. July 12. Admission is $8 with proceeds benefiting her airfare and Pakistani trip.
Contact J.J. Harrier at 352-2270 or valleylife@frontiersman.com.
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