NOLS Instructor Earns 2018 Grit & Rock First Ascent Award

February 21, 2020

Headshots of the ten 2018 Grit & Rock First Ascent Award recipients

Grit & Rock recently recognized NOLS instructor Josie McKee as one of the 2018 recipients of its First Ascent Award, a grant that supports mountain exploration and first ascents by women. Along with team members Whitney Clark and Caro North, McKee received a Grit & Rock Performance Award to help fund her attempt of a new route on India’s Mt. Arjuna.

“Grit & Rock recently announced the recipients of its 2018 First Ascent Award, a grant that is dedicated to promoting mountain exploration and first ascents by women. The recipients this year are Katie Bono, Cecilia Buil, Whitney Clark, Ixchel Foord, Ilana Jesse, Josie McKee, Nina Neverov, Caro North, Alena Panova and Anna Torretta. The teams plan to attempt new routes in Alaska, India, Kyrgyzstan and Nepal.

The program was launched by Masha Gordon in 2017. A jury consisting of Gordon, Lydia Bradey, Christian Trommsdorff and Victor Saunders chose the recipients this year.”

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Brooke Ortel

Brooke is a runner and writer who enjoys finding adventure in the everyday. True to her island roots, she loves sunshine, that salty ocean smell, and the sound of waves against the shore.