Ready to climb the Matterhorn ‘like a girl’
All set to go: Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala. Pic by Indika Handuwala
Seven years after cementing herself in history as the first Sri Lankan to summit Mount Everest, mountaineer Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala is now setting her sights on Switzerland’s Matterhorn.
A women’s right advocate for two decades now, Jayanthi plans to complete the climb under the theme #ClimbLikeaGirl, a movement to challenge gender-based stereotypes and help inspire emerging generations.
The #ClimbLikeaGirl theme sees her passions merge with an effort to change people’s perceptions of what women can do. The name is a reclamation, Jayanthi says, challenging the notion that phrases like playing sports ‘like a girl’ or ‘throwing like a girl’, in essence, being likened to a girl, equates to being inadequate. “Imagine what that does to those girls? It takes away their self-esteem and puts them down. I climbed Mount Everest like a girl – like a woman, and I made it to the top and came back down alive and I’m proud of the fact that I did it as a woman – as a girl.”
Recognized worldwide by its distinct, jagged, pyramid-esque formation and renowned as one of the highest summits in Europe at a staggering 4478m (14,692 ft), Jayanthi says that she chose the Matterhorn for two reasons; to see its stunning natural majesty and to attempt the immense technical challenge this alpine peak represents. Even with 20 years of experience under her belt, rock climbing and mountaineering in more than 10 countries and having conquered Mt. Everest’s 8,849m (29,032ft), Jayanthi is not willing to underplay the challenge that awaits her on the Matterhorn.
The Matterhorn is situated between the Swiss and Italian border, and Jayanthi will begin her ascent on Swiss territory. With an assemblage of climbing gear to help her tread securely, she will use techniques used in rock climbing and ice climbing to manoeuvre steep terrain, narrow ridges, icy rock surfaces while enduring frigid temperatures and unpredictable weather conditions.
Compared to her two-month Everest journey, the Matterhorn can be scaled in two days! However the crucial preparation phase which she will undergo before beginning the climb will take two weeks to complete. Once at Zermatt at the foothills of the Matterhorn, she will commence this phase by acclimatizing her body in preparation to endure conditions at higher altitudes where above 3000m (9842.52ft), the atmosphere will change and oxygen levels decrease. After this, she will be joined by a guide who will assess her skills before making a path to the top.
With risk and danger an ever-present concern for adventurers such as herself, Jayanthi says, “I know some people think this is crazy but I feel I need to do things that scare me – that’s what also keeps me feeling alive.” Speaking at the press conference to announce her climb this week, she expressed her gratitude towards her family who have shown their support every gruelling step of the way, adding, “I know so many girls and women don’t get that support particularly because they are women.”
Jayanthi has continued to make strides to get more women and girls interested in rock climbing through workshops. Over the past three years she has conducted them with the support of a core team of women rock climbers and in partnership with ClimbLanka. Jayanthi herself has undergone mountaineering courses overseas, and learned technical skills in rock climbing, ice climbing, crevasse rescue, high altitude first aid as well as expedition planning. She is also a certified rock-climbing instructor of the Professional Climbing Guides Association USA.
Physicality and determination can only take you part of the way however. Jayanthi underscored the role of mental health when attempting a feat like this, sharing that she’s able to keep her mind sound and focused by continuing to practise the skills she’ll be utilizing and finding solace in nature. “The mental aspect is quite a challenging one – the fear never goes down, even with this one. It’s half the size of Everest but it’s still much steeper and more technical but there comes a point where you have to take that leap of faith. Otherwise, you’ll never know what you’re capable of.”
Jayanthi leaves for Switzerland tomorrow -August 28 and is scheduled to return to Sri Lanka on September 15.
The #ClimbLikeaGirl Matterhorn challenge is supported by sponsors, partners and well-wishers. Her primary sponsors are South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) and Würth Lanka. Other sponsors include Hemas Mobility (travel partner), Dentsu (creative partner), and GPR (public relations partner), Monsoon Colombo (venue partner), Athletes Unleashed (training partner) and End2End events (events partner).
Follow Jayanthi on Instagram @jayanthikuru and Facebook to view updates of her journey.
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