Why the Mountains Matter: Mercy’s Summit Scholarship Story
By Mercy Wanjiru, Summit Scholarship Class of 2024
Rediscovering Her Wild: From Nairobi to Salkantay
Mercy came to the Summit Scholarship the way so many women do: with a long-standing love for the outdoors, a desire to push her limits, and a hunger for community that feels like possibility rather than gatekeeping. Her 2024 scholarship took her to Peru for the Salkantay trek with WHOA, where she found not only big mountains but also a powerful circle of women who reminded her what’s possible at every age and stage of life. Here’s her story, in her own words.
Mercy in front of the snow-capped summit of Salcantay
What inspired you to apply for the Summit Scholarship, and what did it mean to you to be selected?
Mercy: I am always inspired by women in the outdoors. It stirs something in me because I grew up seeing very few women in the outdoors. Without knowing any better as a young girl, I was socialized to believe that the outdoor is a male field and being female I will face too many challenges if I ever was to excel in the outdoors. But once I hit teenage, my eyes opened to beyond my community and I realized these were just barriers created by my society but they can and have been broken, and my love for the outdoors was born. I started hiking, camping and going on backpacking trips. Coming across the Summit scholarship program on Facebook was such a joy for me when someone shared the application link on their wall. I instantly applied in 2023 but I wasn't selected. But I applied again in 2024 and was lucky enough to be selected. I couldn't believe it when i received the email and later the call. It felt surreal, like a dream. Being a global space with other women in the outdoors has always been my dream.
Can you share a moment from the Salkantay trek that really stood out — something that challenged or moved you?
Mercy: During our trek, one of the lady's had a birthday. She turned 60yrs. She doesn't look 60 years and she was among the most active people on the trek. She always had this undying energy and zeal to keep going . Meeting her on this trek and watching her move with such grace made me realize that we should never let age limit us. I come from a background where people expect you to live and be a certain way after 50. Like you should slow down and not do things traditionally set for young people. But hiking with this lady made my urge to keep hiking regardless of age much stronger. I know for sure that now more than ever, i can never let age determine what I can or can't do unless i am forced to slow down due to health issues. In my books, the Salkantay trek will always stand out as the place I met women who propelled my zeal for the great outdoors - regardless of age!
Without this scholarship, I know that it would have taken me years to work up the courage and find the resources to embark on a mountaineering expedition like this. Being the first person in your family and in your community to do something new and unfamiliar can be a daunting experience. But the Summit Scholarship Foundation supported me and my fellow recipients from the moment we received the news and I know they will for years to come. I know that I can always reach out to these women, whether it’s to send them a funny reel about an experience that we had or to ask questions about a future expedition that I want to plan or even to find someone to go on another adventure with. I feel so incredibly thankful for all the sponsors of this scholarship – without them, so much of this would not have been possible. This scholarship has truly given me resources to overcome or has entirely eliminated so many of the barriers that women can face in mountaineering and I will forever cherish it for that.
How did it feel to experience the mountains in an all-women group?
Mercy: It was amazing! We used to have moments where we share about our lives back home. The challenges, motherhood, things that limit us, our dreams etc and being an all women group, people were open and I realized no mater what part of the world you come from, our challenges as women are almost the same. The ladies in my team were all amazing with matching positive energy. Also having local female guides was amazing! Listening to their stories of how they became guides, the barriers they had to overcome, and the challenges they face was really inspiring.
What did you learn about yourself during this expedition?
Mercy: That I haven't been as active in the outdoor as I was a few years ago. Having become a mother 11 years ago and also started a business around that time, my time and focus slowly became fully dedicated to Motherhood and Business. I rarely have time for several days away on the Mountain like I used to some years back. I realized I have deeply missed multi-day hiking experiences and will get back to that from now henceforth. There's a way multi day hiking trips are satisfying both physically and mentally. I miss challenging myself and pushing my limits on the trails
How do you hope to carry this experience forward — in your community, your work, or your adventures to come?
Mercy: I plan to have some multi day hiking trips for the women in my community more often. They actually keep asking me for that but I am always excusing myself as being busy. I will purpose to dedicate some time every so often for that. Most ladies yearn for that space to be away from work and family and just enjoy nature and talk to fellow women on the trails. At the moment we only go for half day nature walks on some Saturdays and we all yearn for more.
Anything else you’d like to share with future Summit Scholarship applicants?
Mercy: Just to encourage them to keep applying and to keep active in the outdoors. And if they do get selected for the scholarship, I can assure them that its an eye opening experience that will change or stir something inside them.
Mercy’s reflections get right to the heart of why the Summit Scholarship exists: representation, connection, and the life-changing impact of being in an all-women mountain space. Her commitment to take more women from her own community into the outdoors is exactly the kind of ripple effect our program is built for. If her experience resonates with you — no matter if you are new to big hikes or coming back to them after years of putting other priorities first — we hope you’ll stay connected, stay active, and apply when applications open. The mountains need your voice, too.
Mercy’s Summit Scholarship was made possible by the vision and generous financial support of Nite Ize, LOWA Boots, McGill’s Mountains and The Cairn Project.
