Our leadership  program

Each year, we recruit a new team of Afghan girls aged 15-24 to embark on a challenging two-year mountaineering program to become the next generation of leaders.

In Kabul, the team trains six days a week and conducts trauma resiliency sessions, team building activities, trip planning duties, and community service projects. The second year team mentors the first year team and alumnae stay connected with the program through outreach and employment opportunities, creating an Ascend network of accomplished and supportive women in Afghanistan.