One of Bolivia’s first female Indigenous mountain climbers, Cecilia Llusco has scaled its highest peaks, changed the tourism landscape – and now has her eye on Everest At 5,200m above sea level, two women sit at a stone table. Mountains pierce the horizon in all directions. An imposing glacier covers the top of Huayna Potosí, a peak that stands at 6,088m. Its white surface, with a narrow footpath traversing it, gleams under the low afternoon sun. Cecilia Llusco is sitting eating crackers with caramel spread and drinking coca tea. She contemplates Huayna Potosí, her destination and part of the Cordillera Real mountain range in Bolivia . “It is not all about reaching the summit,” she says. “Sometimes it’s about enjoying being in the mountains and going as far as you can, without suffering because of them.” As she talks, clouds roll in, enveloping all but the highest peaks in a fluffy white blanket. “Since I began climbing mountains, I’ve learned the same applies to life,” she adds. “It’s not about getting to the top, but enjoying yourself on the journey. The most important thing is to be happy.” ‘Our polleras don’t impeded us’ says Cecilia Llusco of the traditional garment she and other female guides wear to climb Llusco, 39, is one of about 10 Indigenous female mountain guides in Bolivia. Her long black hair is tied in two plaits, linked with a large safety pin and wool decorations in red, yellow and green, the colours of the Bolivian flag. She is wearing a pollera , a voluminous floral skirt over layers of pink petticoats. She has paired it with a pink diamanté top, beneath a pink cardigan and a red fleece gilet. “I have never worn trousers to go up a mountain and I never will. Our polleras […]