Isabel's Online Journal

From wherever you are reading this, whether it be from the comfort of your home, in transit to work or on the road, there are stories from people all over the world gathering life experience in the most captivating ways, they inspire and dare others to tap into their own interests and take action. Let’s dive into a few of my favorite stories from this past year!!

I’ll start with a favorite of mine. As always, I love my film festivals, and the Arc’teryx Winter Film Tour did not disappoint. It featured two local short films, Australian made, and they felt very authentic and passionate. ‘Maven’ and ‘Convergence’ are both created and feature passionate and talented skiers and snowboarders, the love for alpine regions both local and abroad and the mental strength and hurdles this industry comes with. Safe to say I was hooked from the start.

Divya Gordon and Taylor Bennie-Faull give a detailed insight into ski culture. I particularly resonated with Taylor’s film as part of it was set in Nelson BC, a place very close to my heart, I’ve lived there, and I knew what they were referencing, it was fun to connect to that in such a personal way. The love and admiration within this industry is immense and it is a sense of freedom I have no other way of describing, to be a part of this community and to feel so closely what others feel is so special and I encourage everyone to go see the mountains or learn to ski or snowboard, it opens up all these different doorways to opportunities in the outdoors otherwise overlooked.

The imagery between both films were insane, Taylor captured Canada’s alpine region so beautifully, and Divya gave us insight into one of Australia’s alpine terrains I had never seen footage of and never knew too much about. I think I always get caught up with wanting to see all of the mountain ranges overseas that are constantly featured on my social media pages that I forget about the ones I am lucky enough to have right here in Australia. It was inspiring for me personally, to get out into my own backyard a bit more. I want to do the Snowies Alpine Walk, hike Mount Kosciuszko and the hike to Opera House Hut.

Divya’s short film is so important to the Australian short film industry for other reasons as well. It is the first ski film with an all-female cast and crew. Wow, and to have it be so beautifully made with such insane footage was something I felt privileged to get to see. They also not only completed the hike to the Opera House Hut, but Chess Smee also completed Australia’s 11 highest peaks in a single day. The achievements made by all the women in this movie are well deserved and inspired me so, so much. My favorite stories from last year by far!!

Moving on to another amazing story, if you don’t know the name Milly Young, get to know it, she is an awe-inspiring woman to look up to. Last year she created history becoming the second woman to place in the top three for the La Petite Trotte à Léon, the demanding 330-kilometer race is a mixture of ultra-running and mountaineering.

It always makes it feel more personal when an athlete I look up to is from Australia, especially when it’s a woman!! So, after learning that Milly was from WA living in Chamonix, France, in and amongst the French Alps, I instantly thought to myself, UGH, what a dream life to live!!! She’s in constant pursuit of the outdoors and when she’s not doing that, she’s got her podcast Breaking Trail or working in the climate innovation area. It’s so motivating, to see such a steadfast, powerful woman in that space. It’s a very endearing feeling; I have a lot of respect and admiration for her.

I think seeing athletes such as Milly Young getting well deserved media coverage, not only showcases her incredible athleticism but it’s also another example of a woman in an outdoor space that is not typically seen, the more women I see doing ultra marathons, extreme mountaineering, and just mountain/alpine sports in general the more participation and interest levels go up online and even in my local area. We’re finally seeing representation which is so encouraging. With so many amazing women in this industry already I can’t wait to see more and more appear, it really is such an exciting time for women in the outdoor adventure realm.

Those are my favorites from 2024 by far, but I can’t leave this post without mentioning a few others; Severin Van Der Meer, Krystin Norman, Nick Russell, Hamid Sardar, Karsten Heuer.

A film I’d recommend to you all: ‘Every Island Has a Name”

Isabel xx