Bouchra Baibanou: First Moroccan to Complete the 7 Summits

Bouchra Baibanou is the first Moroccan to complete the 7 Summits. This portrait shoot was taken after as she was preparing for last of the 7 Summits climb - Mt. Vinson in Antarctica. Bouchra Baibanou, a software engineer from Rabat, has just broken history and become the first Moroccan to complete the 7 Summits. She climbed the world’s tallest peak on each continent, known as the “7 Summits”. She hopes to use this project to continue inspiring young Moroccan women to dream big and accomplish their goals. Bouchra also runs boot camps for young women and girls in Morocco – helping them build self-confidence and empowerment through the outdoors and trekking. Big congratulations to Bouchra to shattering records and glass ceilings! I've been documenting her journey over the past 4 years. This portrait series captures her preparation for Mt. Vinson. She is a force of nature, changing perceptions in Morocco and bringing about greater gender equality through mountaineering and adventure sports. Recently, I visited Bouchra in her home in Rabat to continue documenting her journey as part of my Women Rising project. This project documents women using adventure sports, adventure travel, and the outdoors to promote gender equality and change perspectives on what women can accomplish. Above is a selection of photos from this portrait shoot at Bouchra's home. These moments document the success of her Mt. Everest climb and the beginning of her next journey - embarking on the last leg of this project - climbing Mt. Vinson. Whatever the outcome - Bouchra reminded me that's its the journey which matters most. When I asked her what's her biggest advice for anyone tackling a hard project - she said to simply believe in yourself and your dream. Read more about Bouchra's project to summit all 7 Summits and learn more about my project to document her journey.

Preparing for Departure
Bouchra Baibanou at her home in Rabat. She is pictured here with her gear she will be taking to Mt. Vinson, the last of the 7 Summits she has to climb.
Bouchra Baibanou portrait mountaineer climber alpinist expedition 7 Summits Morocco Women Rising Mt. Everest Rabat
All About The Hands
I particularly wanted to capture the relationship between her hands and her gear. Hands are crucial for an expedition mountaineer. Bouchra needed to efficiently work the jumars, handle the ropes, and operate her ice axe. She suffered bad frostbite on Mt. Everest and was nervous about her hands for Mt. Vinson.
Bouchra Baibanou portrait mountaineer climber alpinist expedition 7 Summits Morocco Women Rising Mt. Everest Rabat
Checking Gear
Bouchra checked all her gear thoroughly, making sure it was in good working order for climbing Mt. Vinson, Antarctica.
Bouchra Baibanou portrait mountaineer climber alpinist expedition 7 Summits Morocco Women Rising Mt. Everest Rabat
It's All About The Jumars
Bouchra examines her jumar to make sure it's in good working order. Jumars are a key piece of climbing gear for high-altitude mountaineers. They are ascenders designed to help climbers ascended fixed ropes. They stay attached to the rope and have a built in breaking system.
Bouchra Baibanou portrait mountaineer climber alpinist expedition 7 Summits Morocco Women Rising Mt. Everest Rabat
From Everest to Vinson
With the completion of Mt. Vinson in December 2018, Bouchra became the first Moroccan to complete the 7 Summits – breaking gender barriers in Morocco and around the world. Only 14% of mountaineers who complete the 7 Summits are women. Bouchra was using mountaineering to push for greater gender equality by challenging concepts on what women can do and accomplish. Bouchra’s story shares a different narrative on both Moroccan women. Moroccan women have diverse stories and they are even adventure athletes pushing the barriers of their field.
Bouchra Baibanou portrait mountaineer climber alpinist expedition 7 Summits Morocco Women Rising Mt. Everest Rabat
Home in Rabat
Born and raised in Rabat, Bouchra first began mountaineering when she climb Mt. Kilimanjaro with her husband. From then she set a goal to work through the tallest summits on each continent called the 7 Summits.
Bouchra Baibanou portrait mountaineer climber alpinist expedition 7 Summits Morocco Women Rising Mt. Everest Rabat
Bouchra Baibanou Prepares for Her Last Climb - Mt. Vinson
From the ancient medinas of Morocco to the towering peaks of the 7 Summits – Bouchra Baibanou has made history and shattered gender barriers to become the first Moroccan to complete the 7 Summits. On December 16, 2018, she battled frostbite and the Antarctica winds to summit Mt. Vinson and complete the 7 Summits. A software engineer from Rabat, Bouchra first fell in love with mountaineering while climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. After 8 years of pushing through boundaries, she completed the last of the 7 Summits. Beyond breaking the glass ceiling of mountaineering in Morocco, Bouchra also empowers women through her workshops, bootcamps and public speaking. She is pushing for greater gender equality and helping women believe in themselves, reach goals, and get outside hiking and climbing.
Bouchra Baibanou portraits genevievehathaway reedited

Genevieve Hathaway

Stills + Motion Storytelling

Bouchra Baibanou: First Moroccan to Complete the 7 Summits