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In the golden age of alpinism, when rugged peaks were considered the exclusive domain of daring men, one woman defied every societal expectation and etched her name—quietly but indelibly—into the history of mountaineering. Marguerite ‘Meta’ Claudia Brevoort (1825–1876) wasn’t just a climber. She was a force of nature.
Born in New York but drawn to the towering summits of Europe, Meta Brevoort was among the first women to take alpinism seriously. At a time when women were largely expected to stay at home and certainly not don crampons and ropes, Meta was out on the snowfields and ridgelines of the Alps, chasing the sky.
What made her feats even more astounding was the sheer audacity of her ambition. Brevoort wasn’t content with accompanying male climbers—she led expeditions. She scaled peak after peak alongside her beloved nephew, W. A. B. Coolidge, and her faithful dog, Tschingel, who was a legendary alpine companion in her own right. Together, they tackled the kind of terrain that still humbles even today’s climbers.
One of Meta’s most daring pursuits came on 28 June 1870, when she attempted to be the first to summit La Meije in the Dauphiné Alps—one of the last great unsolved problems of the range. Though the summit ultimately eluded her, the attempt itself was a bold testament to her unshakable courage and skill. Tragically, Meta passed away in 1876 before she could complete some of her most coveted climbs, and like many pioneering women, her story was largely forgotten by the mainstream mountaineering community.
That’s changing—thanks in part to the powerful new documentary META.
META: A Film That Brings History to Life
This captivating film is more than just a biography; it’s a living tribute. In META, modern-day climber Maria Granberg retraces Meta Brevoort’s footsteps, ascending La Meije and uncovering the forgotten legacy of one of alpinism’s earliest and boldest women.
Granberg’s journey is one of physical endurance and historical excavation. Through her eyes, we witness the breathtaking beauty of the Alps and the grit it takes to challenge their heights. More importantly, we come to understand what it meant to be a woman pushing against the boundaries of her time—not only to reach the summit but to make space for generations of women after her.
The film is a celebration of resilience, ambition, and the indomitable human spirit. It reminds us that the mountains remember, even when history books do not.
See It on the Big Screen: Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour
META is part of this year’s Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour, hitting theatres across Australia this August. This tour is a showcase of bold women doing bold things in wild places—and META is its crown jewel.
Watching this film on the big screen is an experience as awe-inspiring as the mountain landscapes it features. Whether you’re a seasoned climber, a history buff, or simply someone who loves a story about courage and perseverance, META will move you, inspire you, and leave you in awe of a woman who dared to dream higher.
Don’t miss your chance to witness Meta Brevoort’s legacy come alive.
Grab your tickets now at https://gutsygirlsadventurefilmtour.co.nz/tickets/, gather your adventure-loving friends and be a part of this powerful cinematic journey.
Meta climbed for the future. Now it’s time we remember her.
Fun Fact: Meta became the first female mountaineer to wear trousers, discreetly hidden beneath her skirt until she had reached a point away from scandalised eyes when she could remove the skirt and leave it behind concealed beneath a rock, ready to retrieve upon her return. Once, Meta forgot to put her skirt back on for the descent and had to waste a whole day searching for it.
