The Teton Climbers’ Coalition is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Women’s Grand Scholarship: Summeri Bass, Katia Ryan and Sarah Finlay. Thanks to support from Four Pines Physical Therapy, Women in the Tetons, and Dawn Rucker, these three remarkable women will each receive a fully guided climb of the Grand Teton, along with technical instruction and mentorship to support their journey to the summit.
Now in its third year, the Women’s Grand Scholarship was created to honor Eleanor Davis, who became the first known woman to reach the summit of the Grand Teton in 1923. The scholarship provides women with the opportunity to challenge themselves in the mountains, build technical climbing skills, and connect with a supportive community of fellow adventurers.
Summeri Bass, a member of the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Nations, is pursuing degrees in Outdoor Education and American Indian Studies. She aims to use her experience to create outdoor access programs for Native youth. “We have always been a people that lived in reciprocity with nature,” she says. “This opportunity equips me to build spaces where Native youth can reconnect with our ancestral lands.”
Katia Ryan, a yoga teacher, dancer, and future medical student, uses the outdoors as a way to bridge communities and celebrate the power of duality. “I have spent years moving between two worlds,” says Ryan. “Climbing the Grand—and honestly, even just applying for it—is proof that believing in people is the greatest gift.”
Sarah Finlay, a University of Wyoming alumna and passionate hiker, has trained for years with the goal of climbing the Grand. An advocate for sexual violence survivors, she says, “Being in nature, pushing my limits, and reclaiming my strength have been powerful ways for me to move forward. I hope to inspire others to find their own strength through the outdoors.”
The Women’s Grand Scholarship is made possible through generous community support and the Teton Climbers’ Coalition’s commitment to making climbing more inclusive and accessible. Guided climbs are provided in partnership with Exum Mountain Guides.