Nana Nana: Beyond Imagination

By Nana Nana, Summit Scholarship Class of 2025

A Possibility I Never Imagined

If I were asked to describe my experience in Peru, I would use two simple words: life changing. More than two months have passed since I returned, yet I still find myself in awe. It took time to accept that the adventure had ended, though in truth it will stay with me forever. 

I remember the moment Alexandra called to tell me I had been selected for the scholarship, I just burst into tears. I didn’t know what to say, only that I was filled with pure joy. This was beyond anything I had ever imagined. I never thought I was qualified or good enough for such an opportunity. 

Nana during her Summit Scholarship expedition in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca

If you had told the three-year-old me, the girl being forced by her mother to go with a stranger—that three decades later she would be standing in the Peruvian Andes, across the ocean from Africa, I would never have believed you. This experience taught me that nothing is truly beyond reach, if only we dare to believe in ourselves and break through the barriers of societal expectations. 

I was born and raised in Kenya, though I grew up without either parent. Still, I always felt connected to their origins. My father was Ethiopian, from a land of soaring mountains, rich culture, and breathtaking landscapes. My mother came from Murang’a in central Kenya, home of the Gikuyu people, also known as “the people of the mountains.” They live near Mt. Kenya, Africa’s second-highest peak, and believe that God, Ngai, dwells in the mountain. Spiritual leaders often journeyed there to pray and offer sacrifices. 

“This experience taught me that nothing is truly beyond reach, if only we dare to believe in ourselves and break through the barriers of societal expectations. ”

On the summit of Nevado Ishinca (18,143ft)

Because of this heritage, mountains carry deep meaning for me. They symbolize strength and resilience. As a child, I learned that by being strong and resilient, I could overcome anything life threw my way. But as a woman in Kenya, and in much of Africa, strength and resilience often aren’t enough. Society places expectations on women to bend to societal norms or fight to pursue who you truly are.. 

I often felt I had to prove myself. Outdoor adventures often are considered “men’s activities,” yet I wanted to show that I was just as capable. One example is from 2021, when I joined an ultra marathon and a few guides, all men attempting to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro in a single day. I hadn’t trained properly, and halfway up I became sick. Still, I pushed myself all the way to the summit and back. Yes, I can now say I reached Kili’s summit in less than a day but I didn’t enjoy a single moment of it. The climb was more about proving myself than savoring the experience. 

The Summit Scholarship Program gave me a new perspective. From the first email to the final night in Lima, I felt transformed. I learned to respect the mountains, to listen to them, and to value every step I took. 

The lessons began even before I left home. I remember looking at the gear list on the AWE website and wondering what kind of expedition we were preparing for. I had no idea what some of the gear was; I had to google stuff. The Mountain Prep School videos on cold-management were invaluable. In past expeditions, I had failed at packing, this time I felt over-prepared. Training was another challenge: for four months, I created a fitness routine to prepare. 

Not long after receiving the news, I left Kenya, where hiking options are endless for Egypt, where they are limited. Training there was tough, but I am grateful to my partner, now my fiancé, who supported me through it all. He cheered me on for every small win and reminded me to believe in myself. I almost didn’t submit my application, doubting I was good enough. He pushed me to send it anyway. Without him, I might have let the opportunity slip away. 

Ice climbing school

Life has never been easy. I’ve carried pain, trauma, and moments of withdrawal. Friends suggested therapy, but I found my healing in nature. Hiking and climbing became my sanctuary. Away from the noise and pollution of the city, I found calm. Nature gave me space to process emotions, have meaningful conversations, and connect with people. It allowed me to be vulnerable. 

My partner helped open this world to me. He shares my love for the outdoors, supports my independence, and celebrates my journey. His belief in me was part of what carried me to Peru. 

Peru itself was unforgettable. We started with Laguna Churup, moved on to ice climbing school, gear rentals in Huaraz, and finally the highlight: Ishinca Valley. 

Ishinca deepened my love for the mountains. The team dynamic was incredible, essential when safety depends on trust. The cooks nourished us with warmth, the porters were kind and tireless, and our guides, Alfi and Yudith, were extraordinary. Yudith especially inspired me. Hiking and talking with her showed me that though we came from opposite sides of the world, women face similar challenges in mountaineering. 

“Too often, we convince ourselves that we aren’t good enough. But we are. Opportunities like this prove it.”

This was my first all-women expedition, and I’ll admit, I was nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. But it became the best expedition I’ve ever been on. The energy was uplifting, supportive, and kind. Watching women lift each other up in such a demanding environment was powerful. 

Nana and teammate (and fellow Summit Scholarship recipient) Alli at basecamp in the Ishinca Valley

I’ll never forget sitting at the Ishinca Summit with the team, overwhelmed with emotion, hardly believing I was there. 

Then came Tocllaraju, the hardest climb of my life. I was exhausted, out of snacks and water, and almost turned back. But with the help of my teammates (special thanks to Alli, our “snack daddy,” and Shea, who always had extras), I pushed through. Reaching the summit felt like a dream. I cried, thinking of everything I had been through in the past year: my sister’s death, my mental health struggles, an accident that left me unable to walk for five months, quitting my job, and moving to a new country with no plan. And now, here I was, standing on a mountain I had never imagined. 

Gearing up for the summit push

This scholarship made possible something I had never dared to imagine. I am deeply grateful to AWExpeditions, the Summit Scholarship, the gear companies, Jeanette McGill, and the past and future recipients who carry this mission forward. 

I hope more women, especially African women, will have the chance to experience mountains like Ishinca and Tocllaraju. Too often, we convince ourselves that we aren’t good enough. But we are. Opportunities like this prove it. 

For me, this is just the beginning. I dream of one day standing on all Seven Summits. And when I do, I will carry with me the lessons of Peru: resilience, trust, sisterhood, and the unshakable truth that anything is possible. 

“For me, this is just the beginning. I dream of one day standing on all Seven Summits. And when I do, I will carry with me the lessons of Peru: resilience, trust, sisterhood, and the unshakable truth that anything is possible. ”

2025 Summit Scholarship recipients Nana (R), Britt, and Alli (L).

Aubryanna’s Summit Scholarship was made possible by the vision and generous financial support of Jeannette McGill, as well as Fjällräven NA, Nite Ize, LOWA Boots and The Cairn Project.