At a remote mountain camp 16,000 feet above sea level, climber Yogeshwari Bohare faced a common but challenging reality—her period started with no sanitary products available. With days left at altitude and no shops nearby, she crafted a makeshift pad using tissue and medical tape, sparking an important conversation about women’s health needs in mountaineering safety plans.
- Improvised menstrual pad with tissue and medical tape at 16,000 feet
- Highlights need for menstrual hygiene in expedition safety guidelines
- Encourages better preparation for women on high-altitude climbs
What happened
While on a high-altitude expedition, mountaineer Yogeshwari Bohare found herself without sanitary products when her period unexpectedly began. Stranded 16,000 feet above sea level and with no access to shops or other women, she had to find an immediate solution using available materials. Bohare creatively layered tissue paper and secured it with medical tape to fashion a temporary menstrual pad.
She shared her experience in a video on Instagram, demonstrating the makeshift product and discussing the practicality of her solution. This incident underlines the unforeseen challenges women face in remote locations and the importance of thinking beyond conventional expedition risks like weather and terrain.
Why it feels good
Bohare’s resourcefulness is a testament to human adaptability and resilience, especially in harsh environments where typical supplies are unavailable. Her story resonates as an empowering example of problem-solving under tough conditions, encouraging others to proactively consider and address women's unique needs during outdoor adventures.
Moreover, bringing attention to menstrual hygiene in mountaineering expands the conversation to include important health and comfort considerations, promoting greater inclusivity and better support for female adventurers. It frames menstruation as a normal part of life that deserves acknowledgement rather than being overlooked or stigmatized.
What to enjoy or watch next
Follow Yogeshwari Bohare’s social media channels for further insights from her climbing journeys and practical tips on managing life in extreme environments. Her candid sharing invites broader awareness and dialogue about women's health and safety in expedition planning.
For those interested in outdoor expedition preparation, keep an eye on updates from organizations like the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, which may soon consider incorporating menstrual hygiene into their official guidelines. This evolving approach will enhance the experience and safety of female climbers worldwide.