Everest Wāhine
From Rock Bottom to Everest Sagarmāthā: Support Holly Beckham's mission to be the first Māori Wahine to summit Mt Everest
Auckland
Holly Beckham’s life has been a relentless climb — a climb through 19 years of addiction, childhood sexual abuse, multiple overdoses, and suicide attempts. After battling PTSD, depression, and borderline personality disorder, Holly has emerged as a symbol of strength and recovery. Now, she stands at the base of a new and monumental challenge: summiting Mount Everest Sagarmāthā.
Holly is not just aiming for the top; she’s on a mission to make history. She aims to become the first wāhine Māori to reach the summit, taking the Tinorangatiratanga haki (flag) with her. This flag embodies her journey, celebrating her triumphs over adversity and symbolising hope for whānau battling addiction and honouring those we’ve lost.
Already Holly has shown she's got what it takes: the documentary 'Te Ara' by Greenstone and Bloom Pictures followed her 2023 climb of Mt Aspiring/Tititea – see Episode 1 above.
As preparation for Everest Sagarmāthā, Holly will undertake three 6,000m+ acclimatisation climbs in the Himalayas in October and November 2024: Lobuche East 6,145m, Island Peak 6,189m and Mera Peak 6,476m.
These 'three peaks' are crucial in her preparation and will also serve as a testament to her recovery and resilience. Holly will post updates of these climbs, with the goal of ultimately creating a documentary about her summiting Everest Sagarmāthā.
Use of funds
To turn this dream into reality, Holly would love your financial support with her Everest Wāhine expedition costs, including guides, Sherpas, and essential climbing equipment.
Latest update
The Next Step 30 June 2025
Kia ora whānau,
I'm reopening this page to humbly ask for your support once more. Since I first launched this Givealittle, a lot has happened — and it's time for an update.
In late 2024, I set out to climb three Himalayan peaks as part of my training for Everest: Lobuche East (6,119m), Island Peak (6,189m), and Mera Peak (6,476m). I’m proud to share that I successfully summited all three.
Now, I’m preparing for another altitude climb overseas and preparing for the final ascent: Everest / Sagarmāthā – 2026 (hopefully).
I’m struggling to access the kind of funding needed to make this dream a reality. Many funders say it’s “not the right fit.” So I'm turning back to this platform, because every dollar here gets me closer to the summit.
🌟 What’s Changed Since My Original Post:
✅ 2024: Summited three Himalayan peaks over 6,000m — Mera Peak, Island Peak, and Lobuche East
✅ 2024: Completed Snow Skills training with Mountain Journeys
✅ 2025: Alpine Snow Course with Aspiring Guides – guided by Dean Staples
✅ 2025: Completed a technical alpine traverse of The Remarkables – guided by Dean Staples
✅ Continued filming for the documentary project, including snow training, moko kauae journey, and recovery kaupapa
✅ Climbed Tongariro, Roys Peak and Walked the Routeburn track
🔺 Now actively planning the Everest 2026 expedition, and fundraising for: permits, Sherpas, guides, gear, and filming.
Latest donations
Awe thank you so much!
Thank you for your support!
Ngā mihi nui
Thank you kōrua!
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