The Teton Climbers’ Coalition (TCC) is proud to announce that on Monday, August 25, all three recipients of the 2025 Women’s Grand Scholarship—Summeri Bass, Katia Ryan, and Sarah Finlay—successfully climbed the Grand Teton.
Their achievement marks the third consecutive year that every scholarship recipient has reached the summit.
“All of our scholarship winners summited!!” texted TCC board member Morgan McGlashon, who provided technical instruction and mentorship throughout the climb. “It was a very special weekend. Thanks to everyone in this group for the amazing support and effort to make it happen!”
For recipient Summeri Bass, the experience was both personal and collective. “Climbing the Grand in the Teton Range was a beautifully surreal experience! I had a great time visiting women from many different backgrounds as we trained, hiked, and summited; it was amazing to see us encouraging and supporting each other. The trip made me hopeful for the future, as women are taking up space in the natural world, and bringing all their loved ones with them!”
For fellow recipient Katia Ryan, the climb was a life-changing milestone. “Climbing the Grand is something I’m going to remember for my whole life, simply for the feeling of doing something I never thought I could do with people who knew I could do it,” she said. “The Grand went from something out of reach for me financially, physically, and emotionally to something I accomplished thanks to this scholarship. I cannot thank my guides and everyone on the trip enough for bringing their knowledge, patience, and commitment to uplifting women of all backgrounds and abilities outdoors. For anyone who is scared to do it, do it. Do it scared.”
The 2025 Women’s Grand Scholarship was supported by Four Pines Physical Therapy, Women in the Tetons, and Dawn Rucker, whose contributions helped fund the scholarship and prepare the recipients for their ascent.
“The Women’s Grand Scholarship is about opening doors—building skills, confidence, and community,” said Sheila Walsh-Reddy, board chair of the Teton Climbers’ Coalition. “Summeri, Katia, and Sarah put in the work and earned every step of this climb. We’re proud that for the third year in a row, all our scholarship recipients reached the summit of the Grand Teton.”
About the Women’s Grand Scholarship
The Women’s Grand Scholarship is an initiative of the Teton Climbers’ Coalition that supports women in the Tetons with the training and mentorship needed to attempt the Grand Teton. The scholarship emphasizes preparation, safety, and community building while celebrating the contributions of women to Teton climbing.