Elise Wortley has emerged as one of the most unique and inspiring adventurers of the modern era. Unlike many contemporary explorers who rely on advanced equipment, satellite devices, and modern clothing, Elise chooses a strikingly different path. She follows in the footsteps of historic women explorers who shaped the world of adventure long before outdoor brands, specialist gear, or digital navigation existed. Her mission is not merely to walk the same routes, but to honour these forgotten women by recreating their journeys using only the clothing, tools, and resources available during their time.
Early Life and Background
Elise Wortley grew up in the United Kingdom, developing a deep fascination for stories of exploration and faraway landscapes. While she admired the well-known names of male adventurers, she soon realised that many remarkable women explorers had been erased, overlooked, or underrepresented in mainstream historical narratives.
She began researching pioneers such as Alexandra David-Néel, Nan Shepherd, Isabella Bird, Henriette d’Angeville, and other extraordinary women who crossed mountains, deserts, and borders at times when society did not even consider women fit for such feats. Their courage, intelligence, and determination inspired her deeply.
Elise openly shares that she struggled with anxiety in her early adulthood. The outdoors became a safe space for her—a place of liberation, clarity, and emotional rebuilding. Adventure, to her, was not about competition but about healing, connection, and discovering what women before her had endured both physically and socially.
The Birth of “Woman with Altitude”
To share her mission with the world, Elise Wortley created Woman with Altitude, a project focused on re-creating the expeditions of historic women explorers. The core purpose of the project is to spotlight women whose contributions have been forgotten, questioned, or dismissed, and to challenge the long-standing male domination of adventure narratives.
However, Elise’s approach differs from most outdoor storytellers. She does not simply revisit these routes; she immerses herself in the exact conditions these women faced. This includes:
- Wearing historically accurate clothing made from wool, cotton, linen, or tweed
- Using handmade equipment such as wooden backpacks, simple canvas bags, or natural-fibre ropes
- Walking without modern navigational tools
- Avoiding synthetic fabrics, ergonomic footwear, and performance gear
This extraordinary commitment allows her to experience a fraction of what early women explorers endured, making her storytelling more meaningful, authentic, and emotionally powerful.
Retracing Historic Expeditions
Elise Wortley has undertaken several significant journeys, each inspired by a different female explorer. Every expedition carries its own challenges, emotional depth, and historical weight.
Following Alexandra David-Néel
One of Elise’s earliest and most well-known expeditions involved retracing parts of the Himalayan journey of Alexandra David-Néel, the French-Belgian explorer who travelled across Asia and famously reached Lhasa in 1924.
For this journey, Elise wore traditional clothing based on those available in the early twentieth century. She walked using a handmade wooden backpack and carried minimal, historically accurate supplies. By doing so, she honoured the unimaginable hardships Alexandre David-Néel faced—extreme altitudes, unpredictable weather, and cultural obstacles that made her one of the bravest explorers of her time.
Honouring Nan Shepherd in the Cairngorms
Elise also walked in the Scottish Highlands, following routes described by Nan Shepherd, the Scottish writer known for her deep connection to the Cairngorms. Shepherd’s philosophy focused on experiencing mountains through presence, slowness, and attention rather than conquest.
Elise carried this spirit forward by walking with minimal gear and embracing the raw, simple relationship Shepherd had with the landscape. The Highland weather, rough terrain, and exposure gave Elise a clear understanding of the quiet resilience that shaped Shepherd’s writing.
Climbing Mont Blanc Like Henriette d’Angeville
Perhaps one of Elise’s most visually striking and widely recognised projects was her recreation of Henriette d’Angeville’s 1838 ascent of Mont Blanc. Henriette became one of the first women to climb the legendary peak, making her achievement historically groundbreaking.
Elise climbed sections of Mont Blanc wearing:
- A woollen skirt or trousers
- Silk and wool stockings
- A period-style bonnet
- Rigid, old-fashioned boots
- A wooden staff rather than a trekking pole
Her journey demonstrated not only physical endurance but a deep respect for a woman who climbed mountains at a time when society openly declared women too weak to do so.
Advocating for Representation in Outdoor Culture
One of Elise Wortley’s strongest messages is that women explorers have never received the recognition they deserve. Many were not included in historical textbooks, museum displays, or mainstream adventure narratives. Their achievements were often overshadowed, belittled, or completely erased.
Elise uses her expeditions to:
- Restore visibility to forgotten women
- Educate audiences about historical inequality
- Challenge stereotypes about what type of person can be an “explorer”
- Encourage girls and women to engage in outdoor activities
- Question the male-centric culture often seen in adventure marketing
Her work contributes significantly to reshaping how exploration is understood, celebrated, and taught.
Mental Health and the Outdoors
Elise speaks openly about her experience with severe anxiety and how adventure helped her regain confidence and emotional balance. She emphasises that outdoor spaces should not be reserved for athletes, experts, or thrill-seekers. Instead, they should be accessible to everyone as places of calm, reflection, and healing.
Her expeditions show that an adventure does not need to involve world records or extreme conditions. Walking in nature, reconnecting with history, or simply learning about forgotten women can itself be transformative.
A Unique Approach to Adventure Storytelling
Unlike many modern adventurers who rely heavily on technology and professional gear, Elise Wortley’s commitment to historical authenticity makes her work stand out globally.
Key elements of her storytelling include:
- Immersive recreation of past conditions
- Honest discussions about fear, discomfort, and vulnerability
- Celebration of women’s voices across time
- Beautiful, natural imagery that prioritises authenticity over perfection
- Sharing both physical and emotional aspects of each journey
Her content resonates across social platforms because it is raw, deeply human, and genuinely inspiring.
Influence on Modern Audiences
Elise Wortley has built a dedicated audience that includes:
- Adventure enthusiasts
- Historians and researchers
- Women seeking representation in outdoor spaces
- People looking for mental-health-centred journeys
- Younger audiences discovering exploration through storytelling
Her work encourages viewers to appreciate the courage of historic women and inspires them to explore their own path, whether physical, emotional, or intellectual.
Future Plans and Continuing Legacy
Elise continues planning new expeditions that highlight more forgotten women from around the world. She also continues to write, speak publicly, and develop her storytelling initiatives. Her vision is to build a broader understanding of women’s contributions to exploration and to ensure their stories remain alive for future generations.
Conclusion
Elise Wortley has created a new and refreshing form of adventure—one rooted in history, courage, and cultural restoration. By walking the paths taken by forgotten women explorers and doing so under the same conditions they once endured, she brings their stories back to life with extraordinary respect and authenticity. Her work challenges outdated narratives, supports mental health awareness, and encourages women everywhere to find strength in both nature and history. Elise Wortley is not just an adventurer; she is a storyteller, a historian, and a powerful advocate for women whose voices deserve to be heard.
