Meet the 2024 Climbing Team.

Meet the women who will attempt Makalu, situated in the Barun Valley, which is a remote and relatively untouched region in the eastern part of Nepal. The Barun Valley is southeast of Everest and is known for its pristine wilderness, rich biodiversity, and stunning landscapes.
To us, an all-women’s climb means that all efforts on and off the mountain will be the responsibility of women, from expedition planning to ferrying loads to making climbing decisions.

  • Cokie Cox

    Cokie Cox started her 7 Summits journey in 2003 after writing her first ever ‘Perfect Day’ manifesto. Having never climbed a mountain in her life, written on the page was that she’d be climbing the seven summits of the world and founding a non-profit organization to empower and impact women of all ages ‘one summit at a time.’ Now, in 2022, with a 5 of the 7 summits complete, including Denali (2018) and Everest (2021) most of Cokie’s 2003 Perfect Day has come to fruition. The impact of the power of written aspirations and pursuing her passion of climbing has had on Cokie’s life moved her to incorporate the Perfect Day process into her now 26+ year career finance, financial planning and investments. Cokie authored the book, Perfect Day, published in 2017 which chronicles the client successes and Cokie’s journey of life at sea-level and high altitude. Mother to 2 girls, and many others by way of Kilimanjaro summits with her non-profit She CLIMBS, Cokie is a fierce cheerleader of woman’s empowerment and believes that education and altitude are a powerful combination for a life of impact. When Cokie isn’t maneuvering markets and mountains, she loves to short-order cook breakfast for her family, and delivers goat milk for her Grade A goat dairy in Awendaw, SC.

  • Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita

    Sirdar

    Pasang is the first woman in Nepal to become a mountaineering instructor, and was one of the first Nepalese women to reach the summit of K2 in 2014.

    In 2016 she was named National Geographic’s People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year.

    She has led numerous expeditions around the world.

    Pasang will be the lead Sherpani on Cholatse.

  • Lisa Thompson

    Lisa Thompson is the second American woman to summit K2, the second highest and considered the deadliest mountain in the world.

    Lisa has also summitted the highest mountain on all seven continents.

    She is a breast cancer survivor and in 2018 founded Alpine Athletics where she coaches aspiring climbers to reach their mountain goals.

    Her forthcoming book, Finding Elevation, chronicles her path from novice climber to the summit of K2.

    She is passionate about proving how strong women are in the mountains and in life!