BARRIO – The “cholitas climbers” is a group of 14 Aymara climbers, many of whom went from being porters and cooks to climbers.

Lidia Huayllas (50) was the pioneer. In 2015 she had the idea of challenging her classmates to climb the mountain and not be left behind: “We can climb, let’s see what the top is like,” she told them. At first, only four cholitas dared to climb with Lidia. For the next excursion, in Acotango – she has her long braids and her cholita skirt from La Paz – there were sixteen of them. 

Cecilia Llusco (@cecilia_cholita_escaladora) is another of the members and leaders of the group. Cecilia says that she inherited her passion for mountain climbing from her father, who made a living as a trekking guide. Today, her sister Zenobia Llusco and her two children are also mountaineers and often accompany her on her expeditions. 

The “climbing cholitas” constantly have to face sexist attitudes, stigmatism, lack of support, among others. However, they always manage to get ahead. Now, the next objective of the group of Aymara climbers is to go to Nepal to climb the highest mountain in the world: the imposing Everest. 

“I tell all women that there is always machismo, but I would like to tell them that all women have to make their dreams come true. We have already taken the step and we are going to show that women can reach the summits we set out to achieve. Now my dream is to go to Everest with my teammates,” says Lidia about this passion that she will practice as long as her feet allow it. 

“Our biggest dream is to go to Nepal, we have that project for 2024. We will go to the largest mountain in the world to bring our culture and our colorful skirts. I feel proud of not losing the pollera, Aymara, indigenous culture of my roots. I’m never going to lose it, I won’t take it off,” adds Cecilia Llusco, whose excursion they hope to make a film about.

Working together with the UNiTE campaign, the Cholitas are aiming to bring awareness to gender-based violence with each climb. 

“I made that ascent with a purpose — to put an end to gender-based violence,” Rufina Llusco told UN Women. “The victims’ families have been seeking justice for so many years, and their pain moved me.”

According to UN data, eight out of 10 Bolivian women suffer some type of violence in their lifetime.

The Cholita Climbers are breaking stereotypes and proving that women are just as capable as men in Bolivia. 

“I felt free, and it was the most incredible thing I have ever experienced,” she added.