Refuge in Ascents

BY JONATHAN EIDSE PHOTO MIYA TSUDOME

FOR MANY, news from Afghanistan has faded into memory following new conflicts in Ukraine and now Sudan. But while the impatient gaze of the world may have moved on, Afghans continue their struggle to pick up the pieces since the Taliban regained power. Women most of all.

Ascend is an international not-for-profit on a mission to use the power of sport to “help young women climb to their potential.” It was founded in Afghanistan in 2014, at a time when despite the slow withdrawal of US troops, basic human rights of women and girls in Afghanistan were largely protected.

“Growing up in a society that is male-dominated, you always are reminded that you are weak,” shares Mina Bakhshi, one of the women who joined Ascend.

“And to me that’s why I started climbing. To prove to myself that I am powerful – mentally and physically.”

Ascend’s founder and executive director, Marina LeGree, is an avid outdoor enthusiast. And as such, she knows first-hand the power of the mountains to instill a sense of strength and confidence.

“It starts with girls believing they have a path, they have their choices,” shares Marina LeGree, before continuing:

“And that’s what I saw taken away in a single day.”

The Taliban quickly reasserted authority over the country in 2021 following the full withdrawal of the US, reinstating elements of Sharia law that stripped women and young girls of the rights that they had secured.

“We went from being an organization empowering girls in Afghanistan to an organization evacuating and resettling refugees,” recalls Marina LeGree.

Ascend was able to find placements for five women in North Carolina, where they have begun building a community with other climbers. The recently released short film titled “Ascend,” produced by Patagonia, follows these young women and their journey to (and up) the birthplace of modern climbing: Yosemite.