We’re delighted to announce that our new exhibition opens to the public today – head down to Keswick Museum to see British Women Climb. This is the first exhibition to cover the history of British women’s climbing – from 19th century pioneering mountaineers and the earliest female rock climbers right through to today’s elite athletes.

The exhibition was opened by legendary rock climber Angela Soper, who also gave a fabulous introduction to the history of women’s climbing. Angela recalled stories of climbers in the exhibition and from her own life, as well as highlighting the important work of organisations like the British Mountaineering Council in promoting participation through campaigns such as This Girl Can – although as Angela also pointed out, this exhibition shows that, given the chance, ‘these girls always could’.

From pioneering travellers, to bold adventurers and elite athletes; the exhibition focuses on the experiences of women climbers, their challenges to social expectations, and their mountaineering achievements across history.

The exhibition includes an exciting range of historic artefacts: Lake District icon Mabel Barker’s rope and boots, original Ladies’ Alpine Clubartefacts, and loans from the Fell and Rock Climbing Club, the Pinnacle Club and world bouldering champion Shauna Coxsey.