Hi everyone! I’m running late this morning, so jumping right in.
What I’m reading
For Women, NASA Space Suit Fit Issues Go Back Decades: The canceled all-women space walk had the space administration facing claims of sexism. But the real issue is not a lack of women-specific designs; it's suits that don't fit the wide range of people who need to wear them. [Ariella Gintzler for Outside]
Less Than 1% of Military Divers are Women—I Was One of Them: Contrary to its reputation as an extreme sport, freediving has meditative aspects. [Tenley Lozano for Catapult]
Lunch with Katie Boué and Brody Leven: We join outdoor activist Katie Boué, professional skier Brody Leven, and Spaghetti the dog in their Salt Lake City home for lunch. (No, they’re not making spaghetti.) [Anna Callaghan for Outside]
These Native Women Are Healing Themselves and Their Communities by Running: The Kwe Pack has a simple but radical mission: to improve indigenous health in mind and body by encouraging women to sign on for long-distance runs. [Terese Marie Mailhot for Pacific Standard]
Climbing in the 2020 Olympics, Explained: Are you curious about what Olympic climbing will look like in 2020? We are, too. Here's what you should know before it all begins. [Johanna Flashman for Outside]
North Star Grand Prix Hopes Crowdfunding Can Raise $200K for UCI Women’s Race: After canceling the 2018 edition of the race, North Star Grand Prix organizers hope to come back big in 2019 but are falling short on funding. [Spencer Powlison for VeloNews]
Instagram Influencers Are Wrecking Public Lands. Meet the Anonymous Account Trying to Stop Them. It really got to the person who runs Public Lands Hate You, an account dedicated to pointing out the ways that Instagram tourism—particularly the influencer variety—wrecks delicate natural ecosystems. What’s more, the account-holder is trying to do something about it, by either gently trying to educate influencers about the damage their actions cause and, when that fails, contacting their sponsors. [Anna Merlan for Jezebel]
Inside the first Afghan women's ascent of Mount Noshaq
In July, a group of Afghan women set out to climb 24,580-foot Mount Noshaq, their country’s highest mountain. No Afghan woman had ever reached the summit, and many challenges stood in their way, from hostile Afghan men who think that women shouldn’t exercise, to the terrorist attack in a district near the peak two days before the climb began. This is their story, by Theresa Breuer for Outside.
Some family members and neighbors have criticized Hanifa for mountain climbing, shamed her for divorcing her husband, and insisted that she should remarry. And while many women are part of the Ascend team because it’s fun, it’s freeing, and it gives them something to focus on, for Hanifa it’s about survival. She persevered through two years of training just to make it to Noshaq base camp. Her tolerance for pain is serving her well on the mountain. She never complains while climbing—not when she’s tired, not when she’s thirsty, not when she’s hungry. “Go up?” she asks impatiently, always eager to continue. But the mountain is proving to be more difficult than any of us anticipated.
Last but not least
Happy Marathon Monday. Kick ass out there today, runners.
