Join the Club

Join the CEC

Renew your Membership

Online Store

Subscribe to our eBulletin

Press Release

Canmore Woman Makes Canadian Mountaineering History

Nancy Hansen of Canmore, Alberta, achieved an historic milestone in Canadian mountaineering on September 1, 2003 by becoming the first woman to climb all 54 peaks over 11,000 feet in the Canadian Rockies. Five Calgary men have previously accomplished this feat. Don Forest was the first, finishing in 1979.

Some of the peaks include well-known Rockies landmarks such as Mounts Robson, Victoria and Assiniboine. Others are very remote and rarely visited, such as Mounts Clemenceau and Alberta.

“There are many challenges to overcome when undertaking a project like this,” Hansen said. “The success of each trip depends on good weather and climbing conditions, the right partners, time off work, and a very understanding family.” Almost all of the peaks were multi-day trips, with some taking as long as a week to climb. Hansen climbed all 54 peaks in just over seven years.

“It’s been an amazing journey,” said Hansen, as she returned from summiting her final peak, Mount Forbes in Banff National Park. “What started many years ago as a dream is now a reality, and it feels great!” she said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without a lot of support and encouragement from my husband, my boss and my fantastic climbing partners.”

Hansen, 34, is the Director of Facilities and Mountaineering for The Alpine Club of Canada. She began climbing in 1994. When asked what her next goal in the mountains would be, Hansen answered, “My goal is to spend more time climbing and less time working – but don’t tell my boss or my mom I said that!”

For further information, contact Bob Sandford, the Alpine Club of Canada’s Vice President, Mountain Culture, at 403-678-4488 (office) or 403-678-7003 (cell).

View The Calgary Herald newspaper article of September 23, 2003

View a video of the CBC Newsworld television interview of September 23, 2003

Note:	In order to view the interview video you will need to have a video player installed on your computer.
	Download a free player from RealOne Player. The icon to the left will take you to the RealOne website. Click on "Download the free RealOne Player" on the lower right handside of the page.