More Than a Mountain: Why Climb with SheJumps?

Jasmine Poblano

2 hours ago

3 min read

Why join a SheJumps Fundraising Climb instead of climbing a mountain on your own?

Because you’re not just climbing for the summit—you’re climbing for something bigger.

SheJumps Fundraising Climbs are guided, bucket-list adventures where women come together to challenge themselves, build skills, and raise funds to help more women and girls access the outdoors. It’s a mountain adventure with a purpose—and a community cheering you on every step of the way.

Here are a few questions we hear most often.

What is a SheJumps Fundraising Climb?

It’s a guided mountain adventure or trail run where you’ll challenge yourself alongside an incredible community of women while raising funds for SheJumps.

You’ll learn from professional guides, push your limits, and experience what happens when women show up and support one another.

It’s more than a summit. It’s an opportunity to challenge yourself while helping create opportunities for someone else.

Where does the money I raise go?

Your fundraising has a ripple effect.

Funds support access programs and scholarships like the Wilderness First Aid Access Program, avalanche education opportunities, and the Ikon Mountain Access Program, helping women overcome financial barriers to gaining outdoor skills and experience.

Your fundraising also helps keep SheJumps programs like Junior Ski Patrol, Get the Girls Out!, and outdoor education courses accessible.

In other words: while you’re working toward your own mountain objective, you’re helping someone else find theirs.

Am I experienced enough?

It depends on the objective. Each climb has specific experience, fitness, and training requirements. You don’t need to be an elite athlete or expert climber, but you do need to arrive prepared and meet the requirements for your climb.

As a general guideline, participants should be comfortable climbing approximately 1,000 vertical feet per hour while carrying a 25–40 lb. pack, depending on the climb. Some objectives also require previous climbing or glacier experience.

And you won’t be figuring it all out alone. Professional guides provide instruction, coaching, and support throughout the experience.

For the Volcanic Trail Runs, requirements are different. The 50K requires prior completion of a 50K trail race or the Volcanic 25K, while prior trail-running experience at a similar distance is strongly recommended for the 25K.

The goal isn’t to already be an expert. It’s to be ready to learn, challenge yourself, and do something hard with a great community.

How much does it cost?

There are two financial commitments: registration and fundraising.

Fundraising Climb registration is $500, and the Volcanic Trail Run is $100. Each objective also has a specific fundraising minimum based on factors like the cost and popularity of the experience.

Participants are responsible for their own travel, personal gear, and other expenses outlined in their climb information.

And please don’t feel like you need to buy everything new! We love borrowing and renting gear. Your local outdoor community can be a great resource for keeping costs down.

What is the experience actually like?

Challenging. Empowering. Joyful. Sometimes humbling.

Our participants tell us that the people and the experience are just as meaningful as the mountain itself.

You’ll learn new skills, push your limits, navigate real-world conditions, and spend time with women from different backgrounds who are all working toward something together.

And sometimes, you won’t reach the summit.

One participant shared:

“Instead of focusing on what we didn't accomplish, I was able to embrace what we did accomplish.”

Because success isn’t always reaching the top. Sometimes it’s making a good decision, trusting your team, adapting to conditions, and learning something new about yourself.

Another participant put it beautifully:

“You’ll be challenged, encouraged, and supported every step of the way, and you’ll leave with incredible memories, lifelong confidence, and a community that’s cheering you on long after you leave the mountain.”

Why climb with SheJumps?

You could climb the mountain on your own.

Or you could climb it knowing that your effort is helping someone else get outside, too.

You’ll have professional guides, a community of women cheering you on, and the opportunity to raise funds that directly support access to outdoor experiences for women and girls.

As one participant said: