Prerna has gained climbing experience from around the world, but her focus is the Himalayas. As an aspiring alpinist, she has delved into all aspects of climbing, from high mountains and frozen waterfalls to hard sport grades and bouldering.
She is actively working to foster a strong climbing culture and community in India with an emphasis on introducing more women to the sport and the outdoors through the organization
Climb Like A Woman (CLAW). She also plays a key role in the community-led initiative
Piti Dharr Ice Climbing Festival.
Climbing gives her the courage to chase after all things that seem hard, whether they are scary routes or stereotypes, which is a lesson she loves sharing with others along the way.
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.
The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. To find out more about supporting your favourite podcast and becoming a patron please check out
www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.
Show notes
- Loving the outdoors
- Spending her summers outside
- Her dreams as a little girl
- Being a collector of skills and hobbies
- Her route to climbing
- Going to university and finding climbing
- Studying English Literature
- Trying to figure out what to do next
- Being a tomboy and exploring her feminine side
- The climbing culture in India
- What it’s like being a woman climber in India
- Connecting with other women in the sport
- The growth of climbing gyms in the last 5 years
- Arranging an all women’s climbing meet up which is now an annual event
- Feeling strong and powerful from climbing
- Planning to climb Mt. Denali
- Dealing with self doubt
- Having a shoulder injury and needing surgery
- Pioneering ice climbing in India
- The journey on becoming a professional guide
- Focusing on quality and skill development
- Her first expedition to a 6,000m peak
- Having the ability to push herself physically
- Being able to handle the suffering
- Looking for new opportunities
- Wanting to become a well rounded climber
- Trying to get sponsored projects
- Spending 5 winters creating an ice climbing community
- Wanting more people to try ice climbing
- Creating a new niche in climbing
- Why complaining doesn’t do anything - you have to take action
- Future dreams for climbing
- Being inspired by other women
- Final words of advice for women who want to get into climbing and the outdoors
- Why you should do the things that scare you
- How overcoming fear can be empowering
Social Media