Seven of the World’s Most Impressive Outdoor Feats
From 1926 to 2016, the expeditions—and the women behind them–that have rocked our world
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A look back at some of the most storied accomplishments by women athletes and adventurers over the past 100 years.
The XX Factor Issue
Our special issue highlights the athletes, activists, and icons who have shaped the outside world.1926: Gertrude Ederle
Gertrude Ederle swims the English Channel in 14 hours 34 minutes—eight hours faster than the first man did in 1857.
1966: Bobbi Gibb
Despite receiving a letter from Boston Marathon organizers explaining that women aren’t capable of running 26.2 miles, Bobbi Gibb hides in the bushes near the start line and runs it anyway, finishing in 3:21:40, ahead of two-thirds of the field. (In 2016, a total of 12,166 women finished the race.)
1978: Naomi Christine James
After 272 days at sea, Naomi Christine James becomes the first woman to sail solo around the world via Cape Horn, besting Sir Francis Chichester’s record by two days.
1985: Libby Riddles
Dog musher Libby Riddles becomes the first woman to win the 1,100-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, after 18 days in 50-below weather. She gains time by pushing on during a blizzard while other competitors stop.
1993: Lynn Hill
Lynn Hill is the first person, man or woman, to free-climb the Nose route on El Capitan in Yosemite Valley. It will take 12 years for anyone to repeat the feat.
2015: Ashima Shiraishi
Eleven-year-old Ashima Shiraishi is the youngest person, male or female, to climb a 5.14c route.
2016: Lael Wilcox
After 18 grueling days biking unsupported across the country, endurance cyclist Lael Wilcox is the first woman to win the 4,400-mile Trans Am Race, beating 41 other finishers, 35 of them men.