On Sunday, August 25, Zurisadai Vasquez Bedolla, the recipient of the TCC’s 2024 Women’s Grand Scholarship, achieved a remarkable milestone by successfully summiting the Grand Teton.
Zuri, as she is affectionately known, was part of an all-women’s expedition, which included twelve other women and five female Exum Mountain Guides, including Teton Climbers’ Coalition board member Morgan McGlashon.
Zuri’s participant was made possible by the Women’s Grand Scholarship, which was made possible by Four Pines Physical Therapy, Women in the Tetons, and Exum Mountain Guides.
This inspiring event marked the second consecutive year of an all-women’s ascent of the iconic peak.
Led by a team of accomplished female guides—Morgan McGlashon, Jess Baker, Michelle Leber, Aili Farquhar, and Peggy Flavin—Zuri’s climb was a powerful testament to the resilience and camaraderie that define women in the mountains.
The group hiked to the Lower Saddle on August 24 and made their ascent on the 25th.
As Monday, August 26th, arrived, the Tetons were plastered in a blanket of fresh snow. Zuri’s accomplishment had been made just hours before the first major storm of autumn arrived.
When asked about her experience, Zuri said, “I am still dissecting and processing the experience. I am so in awe of each and every single woman involved and their willingness to be challenged!”
Morgan McGlashon, one of the lead guides, reflected on the experience: “It was really cool to see the Lower Saddle filled with such a resilient and exceptional group of women—it’s not what it normally looks like up there. Guiding with an all-women’s team and being surrounded by strong female climbers was an incredible experience. It’s time to celebrate women in the mountains and see more women in leadership roles here, just as we’re seeing in other spaces.”
Zuri, who summited alongside Aili Farquhar, was described as a “bundle of enthusiasm and joy” by the guides. Morgan added, “When surrounded with the right support systems, we can all do hard things. With the right financial support and people believing in you, you can climb your own Grand Teton.”
Born and raised in Teton Valley, Zuri’s journey to the summit is a story of perseverance, growth, and a deepening connection to the mountains. As the daughter of immigrant parents, Zuri’s time in the outdoors was limited during her childhood. “Growing up, time in the outdoors was not always a priority,” she reflects. “My parents were constantly working to enable greater opportunities for my sister and me.”
After graduating from the University of Utah, Zuri returned to Teton Valley with a renewed passion for exploring the mountains that had always been a part of her story. Her dedication to running, climbing, and learning to ski has been a testament to her resilience and determination. “I’ve learned to trust in my own strength and to embrace greater challenges,” says Zuri. Now, as a first-generation American and Latina woman, she is eager to serve as a role model for others who may feel like outsiders in the outdoors. “My goal is to remind people who look like me that they also belong in the outdoors,” she says.
Zuri’s successful summit is a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusivity and representation in outdoor recreation. “This will certainly not be my last time up there,” she said.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who applied for the 2024 Women’s Grand Scholarship and to our generous sponsors. Together, we continue to uplift and celebrate the women in our climbing community.