La Paz (EFE).- The Macedonian climber and activist Ilina Arsova, who reached the top of the seven highest mountains in the world, visits Bolivia for the first time to share her experiences and inspire other women who practice this sport, including to the emblematic Bolivian climbing cholitas.
Arsova is located in La Paz, at 3,625 meters above sea level, within the framework of the “Global Sports Mentoring Program” project, promoted by the US. Its objective is to choose outstanding women from different countries to help ” empower” others in various fields.
“When I was little there weren’t many women who served as role models (model to follow) and when we are more women in sports we will always be an inspiration,” Arsova told EFE.
meeting with women
That is why she will share her experiences, such as having climbed the most important peaks, including Everest, 8,849 meters high, since Arsova is the first Macedonian woman to achieve this feat that will tell women in Bolivia who are dedicated to this sport.
Arsova, a visual artist, environmentalist, skier, mountaineer and former paraglider pilot, plans to climb the emblematic Illimani, 6,438 meters above sea level. And Huayna Potosí, at an altitude of 6,088 meters, accompanied by several women, including Bolivian climbing cholitas.
The prominent climber confessed that she is excited to meet the Aymara women and carry out joint activities to learn about the relationship they have with the mountains and Pachamama or Mother Earth and thus “learn more.”
“I am interested in knowing what the mountains mean to them, I am interested in learning why a strong and indigenous woman climbed the top of the mountains,” Arsova said.
Ilina Arsova’s demonstration
He stressed that in La Paz “people are prepared” to climb mountains because of the altitude at which they are. But it is always important to take into account other factors such as preparing for the “cold”, extreme temperatures, and the “physical and technical preparation” for the ascent.
The climber participated in a press conference for her presentation in the country. After which she descended the front of the Banco Ecofuturo building, in the south of La Paz, to demonstrate her skills. She used the characteristic bowler hat of the cholas from La Paz, the Aymara women.
Arsova is 43 years old, she has been involved in mountain sports since 2006. She is one of the 70 women who managed to climb the seven peaks.
She was also the first Macedonian woman to reach the summit of Ama Dablan, in Nepal, at 6,856 meters of altitude. And the Aconcagua in Argentina, at 6,962 meters above sea level, among others.