Information on Freda Du Faur

Freda Du Faur, an Australian mountaineer, is celebrated for her pioneering ascent of Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak, in 1910. This feat marked her as the first woman to accomplish such a climb. Du Faur's journey into mountaineering began in her home country, where, living near the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, she developed a passion for rock climbing. However, it was her exposure to the majestic images of Mount Cook at the New Zealand International Exhibition in Christchurch that ignited her determination to conquer this summit.

Du Faur's expeditions were not just about conquering peaks; they were also acts of defiance against the societal norms of her time. During her climbs, she faced criticism for her athletic endeavors and attire, challenging the stereotypes of physically active women. Her climbing outfit, a skirt over knickerbockers, was a compromise between societal expectations and practicality. Despite the initial need for a chaperone on her climbs, Du Faur eventually dispensed with this convention following her famous ascent of Mount Cook. She is remembered for saying, "I was the first unmarried woman to climb in New Zealand, and in consequence, I received all the hard knocks until one day when I awoke more or less famous in the mountaineering world, after which I could and did do exactly as seemed to me best".

Du Faur's relationship with Muriel Cadogan, her life partner and instructor at the Dupain Institute of Physical Education, was a significant aspect of her life. Their partnership was a profound one, transcending the societal limitations of the time. The naming of the peak Mount Cadogan in the Southern Alps by Du Faur, was perhaps a subtle yet powerful declaration of their bond, an act that held deep personal significance in a time when conventional expressions of their relationship were not possible.

Du Faur's climbing career was relatively short but impactful. In four seasons, she achieved many first ascents and notable climbs, including the first grand traverse of all three peaks of Mount Cook and the first traverse of Mount Sefton. These achievements extended the boundaries of what was deemed possible in mountaineering, not just for women but for all climbers of that era.

Following the death of Cadogan in 1929, Du Faur's life took a somber turn. She returned to Australia, where she lived a quiet life, her main interest being bushwalking. The loss of Cadogan deeply affected Du Faur, and in 1935, she tragically ended her own life.

Du Faur's story is one of breaking barriers and confronting societal norms. She was a romantic soul, drawn to the mountains, which she saw as the epitome of beauty and perfection. However, her life was also marked by the challenges she faced as a woman embracing her sexuality and independence in a time of rigid societal conventions. Her mountaineering feats, coupled with her personal struggles, paint a picture of a woman who was far ahead of her time, navigating through a society that was not yet ready to accept her fully.

Further information can be found at:

• en.wikipedia.org
• nzherald.co.nz