5 March 2026
Katoomba climber and adventurer Allie Pepper has been named Blue Mountains Woman of the Year at a ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Sydney today.
The 50-year-old is determined to climb all 14 of the world’s highest peaks, without supplemental oxygen, which has never been achieved by a woman before.
Ms Pepper started her quest in 2023 and has conquered five peaks, the last in May 2024. Summitting Makalu in the Himalayas at 8485 metres, Ms Pepper reached the highest altitude of any Australian woman without supplemental oxygen. Just two men have summitted all 14 of the 8000metre-plus peaks in the world without additional oxygen, and they took 16 years to compete their journey.
Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle presented Ms Pepper with her award. “Allie is attempting to conquer something that few people are able to do. At 8000 metres, the air is very thin, so it’s incredibly difficult to breathe, it takes a phenomenal amount of energy to move, and the body just wants to sleep,” she said.
This remarkable woman is also a menopause ambassador, who is determined to not let menopause and its effects on her body, rule her life.
“Allie is proof that women can do anything. She is a truly amazing woman, who also aims to inspire people of all ages and walks of life that they are capable of more,” Ms Doyle said.
In May, the climber plans to tackle Mt Everest at 8848m and Lhotse at 8516m in Nepal, both without the use of supplemental oxygen.
“At this stage my plan is to head to Nepal early in April and begin to acclimatise on a 6000m peak before heading to Everest Base Camp. I don't plan on summiting Everest until later in May when there are fewer climbers on the mountain. I will spend time acclimatising to higher altitudes before the summit push,” Ms Pepper said.
Then she will head to Pakistan to climb in the Karakoram mountain range, planning to summit Gasherbrum 1 and 2 without oxygen.
She’s currently training in Australia five days a week, working closely with her coach Rowan Smith from Summit Strength. This includes two strength sessions, one indoor Hypoxico interval session (training on a road bike wearing a mask with blood oxygen saturation levels of just 80-85 per cent), one weighted pack hill climb, and one long trail run each week.
“My training schedule is consistently building a foundation of strength and endurance. It's designed to prepare my body for the demands of high altitude climbing. In terms of mindset, I have daily practices that train my mind to stay calm and focused even through challenges, like meditation and journalling,” Ms Pepper said.
The adventurer was honoured to accept the award.
“I feel deeply grateful for this recognition. My climbing journey has not been easy but my love for mountaineering has always kept me moving forward. What drives me isn’t just the mountains themselves. It’s the purpose behind them. I want to show people that we are never too old to chase big goals or step into what we’re capable of,” Ms Pepper said.
“I especially hope to inspire women to believe in themselves and their ambitions. To know that their dreams matter. If I can take on one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet, then others can face their own mountains too, whatever they may be.”
The Local Women of the Year Awards celebrate visionary thinkers, everyday heroes, social advocates, and trailblazing role models who make a meaningful difference in their communities.
This year, 94 inspiring women have been nominated by their local Members of Parliament as part of NSW Women’s Week (2–8 March) - a week-long celebration that empowers women and promotes gender equality across the state.
“Local MPs have nominated exceptional women whose efforts inspire us all,” said Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison.
“Congratulations and thank you to every Local Woman of the Year - this recognition is truly well deserved.”
MEDIA: Ilsa Cunningham | Trish Doyle MP (02) 4751 3298, bluemountains@parliament.nsw.gov.au
