The Elevate-Her Story
South African Women Making History, One Summit at a Time.
Elevate-HER Limitless Quest (Elevate-HER) is a bold initiative founded by renowned adventurer Sibusiso Vilane. Its mission: to empower women from underserved and underrepresented communities by introducing them to the world of high-altitude mountaineering.
Through training, mentorship, and global expeditions, Elevate-HER offers women the chance to test their limits, discover their strength, and rise — one peak at a time.
Each climb is a powerful testament to their courage, and a call to all women: your dreams are valid, your summit is waiting.
Why we Climb
Break Barriers
We challenge what society believes is possible for women from underserved communities.
Redefine Adventure
Elevate-HER is rewriting the narrative — adventure belongs to all women.
Make History
We aim to be the first all-black South African women’s team to summit all 7 volcanoes.
Completed and upcoming summits
These are more than just numbers — it’s a visual record of courage, connection, and elevation. See how far we’ve come, and how far we still aim to go. Each summit represents a challenge conquered and one still calling. Join a powerful sisterhood rising — one volcano at a time.
Completed and
upcoming
summits
These are more than just numbers — it’s a visual record of courage, connection, and elevation. See how far we’ve come, and how far we still aim to go. Each summit represents a challenge conquered and one still calling. Join a powerful sisterhood rising — one volcano at a time.
Support Elevate-Her
Support Elevate-HER in empowering black women from underserved and underinvested communities to conquer the world’s peaks, both literally and figuratively. Whether you’re an individual or a company, your donation or sponsorship will help provide transformative mountaineering experiences for women of all ages and skill levels. Together, we can elevate their potential, break down barriers, and inspire a new generation of fearless women leaders. Together, we can create a world where every woman can elevate herself and inspire others.
Seven Volcanic Summits
Track our mission to conquer the world’s highest volcanoes — one peak, one sisterhood, one historic climb at a time.
Our first summit, above sea level. A moment of history for the Elevate-HER team and a symbol of what’s possible.
Duration: 8 Days
Elevation: 5895 m / 19341 ft
Next on the journey. A dormant stratovolcano and the highest peak in the Middle East.
Duration: 5 Days
Elevation: 5610 m / 18,406 ft
The tallest volcano in North America , Orizaba rises with icy grace above the clouds of Mexico. For Elevate-HER, it's more than a climb — it’s a bold step onto new terrain, testing endurance, unity, and ambition at altitude.
Duration: 10 Days
Elevation: 5,636 m / 18491 ft
Rising from the Caucasus Mountains, Elbrus is Europe’s highest volcano. A massive challenge wrapped in snow and legend — one that demands unity, endurance, and grace under pressure. “Elbrus will test our resolve. But together, we rise — as sisters, as climbers, as history-makers.”
Duration: +15 Days
Elevation: 5,642 m / 18,510 ft
Lush, remote, and rugged — Giluwe is more than a volcano. It’s an untamed world in Oceania that calls for curiosity, grit, and cultural respect. “It’s not the altitude. It’s the attitude — of learning, of listening, of rising in unfamiliar terrain.”
Duration: 5 Days
Elevation: 4,368 m / 14,331 ft
The most remote of the seven, Sidley sits frozen and forgotten in Antarctica’s desolate beauty. A brutal frontier that few dare to approach — and yet, Elevate-HER dreams of standing there. “To summit Sidley is to silence every doubt that ever said: ‘You don’t belong here.’ We do.”
Duration: +16 Days
Elevation: 4,285 m / 14,058 ft
The world’s highest volcano and the final summit of the quest. Towering at , Ojos del Salado is the crown jewel of volcanic mountaineering. “When we reach Ojos, we’ll carry every woman who believed she could — and did.”
Duration: +16 Days
Elevation: 6,893 m / 22,615 ft
Popular Trekking Destination
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Fjordland Trek
- Routerburn, New Zealand
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Matterhorn Trek
- Mont Blanc Alps, Swiss
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Red Wood Trek
- Colorado, USA
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis.
Fjordland Trek
- Routerburn, New Zealand
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis.
Matterhorn Trek
- Mont Blanc Alps, Swiss
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis.
Red Wood Trek
- Colorado, USA
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis.
Fjordland Trek
- Routerburn, New Zealand
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis.
Matterhorn Trek
- Mont Blanc Alps, Swiss
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis.
Red Wood Trek
- Colorado, USA
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis.
Voices from theMountain
A collection of powerful reflections from the women of Elevate-HER and those who walk beside them. These voices speak of transformation, courage, and connection — moments that echo beyond the summit and into every corner of their lives, inspiring others to rise with them.
I love pushing boundaries and always surprise myself on how deep within I can dig when faced with physical and mental challenges to overcome.
Tebogo Madumo
Trekker
These volcanoes for me are evidence that our background, past, stereotyping, circumstances, or gender doesn’t define us.
Sibongile Shongwe
Trekker
The mountains have been my sanctuary, offering solace, perspective, & healing. Nature’s beauty and serenity have a way of soothing the mind.
Bongiwe Ncube
Trekker
I stood in awe as I summited Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro, pinching myself continuously as the moment brought back memories of summiting Mafadi, South Africa’s highest peak.
Motlalepule Seitelo
Trekker
At the age of 55 years, summited Mount Kilimanjaro at the age of 57, trekked to the Mount Everest Base Camp, and also submitted Kala Phatthar peak in Nepal at the age of 62.
Lungiswa Tshayana
Trekker
My WHY for the 7 Volcanic Peaks is to inspire others, proving that the power of the mind can propel the body to unimaginable heights. I also seek to shatter stereotypes about what women can do.
Mpume Nyandu
Trekker
Mountains are my sanctuary where I feel grounded, adventurous, and connected, though I now prefer summiting them over chasing runaway sheep! Even today at 60 years I still say “ain’t no mountain high enough”.
Xoliswa Kakana
Trekker
I believe that we all have our own Everest to climb. It doesn’t have to be a mountain – it’s whatever challenges you face in life. The most important thing is to believe in yourself and keep moving forward, one step at a time.
Sibusiso Vilane
Expedition Leader
