LOWA and Summit Scholarship Foundation for Gender Equality in the Mountains
The expedition to the iconic mountain between Switzerland and Italy, supported by the footwear brand Lowa, is among the initiatives organized with the Summit Scholarship Foundation to promote gender equality in mountaineering.
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An all-female expedition to the Matterhorn in 2026
Love for the mountains knows no gender differences, yet when it comes to mountaineering “exploits,” ambitious journeys, and 8,000-meter summits, the protagonists are almost always men. Women are underrepresented in mountain sports worldwide: the number of female mountain guides is extremely low, and for every woman, there are approximately five men who have achieved the ultimate mountaineering goal: climbing all 14 eight-thousanders.
LOWA is a brand that has always prioritized promoting the mountains for all, and is committed to reducing this “gender gap” with its distinctive, effective approach. How? With a series of scholarships that allow women to gain valuable experiences at high altitude.
Through its partnership with the Summit Scholarship Foundation, LOWA aims to make a difference by offering women access to unforgettable outdoor expeditions. LOWA will support these endeavors by providing the right footwear for each challenge, making every expedition safer and more accessible. The numbers speak for themselves: more than 2,100 applications were received for the 12 spots available in the 2026 edition.
For some of them, the path will open to one of the most iconic peaks in the world of mountaineering, the Matterhorn. Thanks to the first “Matterhorn Adventure Summit” scholarship, they will have the opportunity to participate in an all-female expedition to the Matterhorn in the summer of 2026. The expedition’s guides and mentors will be some of the most accomplished female mountaineers and LOWA athletes: Alix von Melle, Ines Papert, and Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, the second woman to climb all 8,000-meter peaks and the first to do so without supplemental oxygen or high-altitude porters.
For LOWA, supporting talent means creating real opportunities: now it’s up to mountain lovers to seize this opportunity. Visit www.summitscholarship.org for updates on current activities and applications for upcoming adventures.
