Freda

This kea was banded at Aoraki/Mt Cook during October 2019 and is named after an eminent female climber - Freda Du Faur, who pushed the boundaries for women at a time when it was socially unacceptable for women to feature in the mountaineering scene. Emmeline Freda Du Faur was born on 16 September 1882 at Croydon, Sydney, Australia and died in 1935. Freda extended the limits of the possible, not just for women, but for all guided climbers of the period. Key factors were her rock-climbing ability, determination, and physical fitness. Three months training under Muriel Cadogan at the Dupain Institute of Physical Education in Sydney, before her trip to New Zealand in November 1910, enabled her to climb Mt Cook soon after her arrival. The ascent, on 3 December 1910 with Peter and Alexander (Alec) Graham, was the first by a woman and the fastest to that date. In four climbing seasons she made many first ascents and notable climbs. With her guides she made the second ascent of Mt Tasman, the first ascent of Mt Dampier and the first traverse of Mt Sefton, among other 10,000-foot peaks. Probably her greatest climb was the first grand traverse of all three peaks of Mt Cook on 3 January 1913 with Peter Graham and David (Darby) Thomson.