Author Date

2023-12-06

Degree Name

Department

History

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Defense Date

2023-11-14

Publication Date

2023-12-06

First Faculty Advisor

Andrew Johns

First Faculty Reader

Rebecca de Schweinitz

Honors Coordinator

Daren Ray

Keywords

rock climbing, sports, women, history, gender, mountaineering

Abstract

This thesis examines how gender and ideas about gender affected early female mountaineers and rock climbers. The study focuses on female dress standards in the Victorian era, the relative equity of accomplishment between male and female mountaineers and climbers, the portrayal of female climbers in the media, and the misrepresentation of female motivations for climbing. By analyzing primary sources from female climbers and mountaineers, this paper uncovers how women challenged traditional gender roles and navigated the complexities of the male-dominated climbing community.