New Funding, New Stories, New Screenings
I’m excited to share some big news from this year, along with a look at what’s coming next for both the podcast and the film.
Audrey Salkeld Bursary 2026
I’m incredibly honoured to be one of five recipients of the inaugural Alpine Club Audrey Salkeld Bursary for 2026.
Named in honour of renowned mountain writer and Alpine Club member Audrey Salkeld, the bursary supports UK-based researchers, writers, artists, filmmakers and other creatives in developing projects that make use of the Alpine Club Collection. Audrey was a meticulous historian and a powerful advocate for better, fuller storytelling in mountaineering, particularly when it came to overlooked narratives.
To be supported in continuing that work feels incredibly special. It’s also wonderful to see fellow awardee Rosemary Jane Brown recognised - huge congratulations to Rosemary.
What This Means for First Females…
The bursary will fund the production of a special episode of the First Females podcast, drawing directly from archival material within the Alpine Club Collection to contextualise and amplify untold stories from mountaineering history. In particular, I’ll be exploring the narratives surrounding Junko Tabei’s 1975 ascent of Mount Everest, when she became the first woman to summit the world’s highest peak - and examining how that achievement was recorded, framed and represented at the time.
The Next Series and a Call for Sponsors
Alongside this special episode, I’m currently working on the next series of First Females.
The podcast continues to grow, reaching listeners who are passionate about adventure, history, equality, and powerful storytelling. The upcoming series will build on the themes of uncovering overlooked stories and celebrating pioneering women in mountain environments.
To make this next series as strong and sustainable as possible, I’m currently looking for aligned sponsors and partners.
If you are:
A brand working in the outdoor or adventure space
An organisation committed to equality and representation
Or a company that believes in the power of storytelling
I’d love to hear from you.
Sponsorship directly supports research, production, archival access, travel, editing, and the telling of stories that deserve a wider audience. If that conversation feels like a good fit, please get in touch via my contact page.
If you’ve missed any episodes, now’s the perfect time to catch up before the new episodes - stay tuned for what’s happening in 2026! 🏔️
More Than A Mountain 2026 Screenings
It’s been wonderful to see More Than A Mountain continuing to travel and reach new audiences across England and Wales.
This film has always been about more than just a summit - it’s about resilience, purpose, community, and the human stories behind adventure. I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported it so far.
Upcoming Screenings (March - May 2026)
7th–22nd March - London Mountain Film Festival (online & community screenings)
13th March - Outdoor Women, London
21st March - Grosvenor Museum, Chester
27th March - Tonbridge, Paddle Cabin presents A Night of Adventure (with Jo Bradshaw)
8th April - Salisbury District Hospital, Stars Appeal Film Night
10th April - Daventry, Badby Film Society for Pancreatic Cancer
21st April - Bristol, Youth Adventure Trust A Night of Adventure
5th May - Exeter, Adventure on Tap
If you’re near any of these locations, we’d love to see you there. Please do share the dates with friends, family and anyone who might enjoy an evening of adventure storytelling.
More screening announcements are coming soon - and you can follow along via @morethanamountain for updates.
Looking Ahead
2026 is already shaping up to be a meaningful year - from archival research and new podcast production to film screenings and new audiences.
Thank you, as always, for supporting storytelling and for caring about the stories that don’t always make it into the history books.
There is so much more still to tell!