Jane Thomson (mountaineer) facts for kids

Jane Thomson (born May 18, 1858 – died July 17, 1944) was a very brave and skilled New Zealand mountaineer. A mountaineer is someone who climbs mountains, often very tall and challenging ones! Jane was born in a place called Kaiapoi in North Canterbury, New Zealand. Her father was a farmer named Donald Coutts, and her mother was Anne Mackay. Later, in 1879, she married John Thomson, who was an engineer.

Jane Thomson: A Pioneer Climber

Jane Thomson was known for her amazing achievements in mountain climbing. She proved that women could be just as strong and determined as men in the challenging world of mountaineering.

Early Adventures

In 1903, Jane Thomson, along with two other women named Constance Barnicoat and Ada Perkins, made history. They were the first women to successfully cross the difficult Copland Pass. Even though they completed the journey, their guide, Jack Clarke, thought the route was "unfit for ladies." But Jane and her friends showed him just how capable they were!

Climbing with Conrad Kain

Jane's passion for climbing grew even stronger. In 1915, during a summer holiday at the Hermitage in Mount Cook Village, she started a two-year climbing partnership. Her climbing partner was a famous Austrian guide named Conrad Kain. Together, they climbed many impressive peaks.

Some of the mountains they conquered included:

• Maunga Ma
• Mt Jeannette
• Malte Brun
• Two mountains that didn't even have names yet!

Jane named one of these unnamed peaks Mount Edgar Thomson. She named it to honor her beloved child.

Conquering Mount Cook

In 1916, when Jane was 57 years old, she achieved one of her most incredible feats. With Conrad Kain, she became the second woman ever to traverse Mount Cook. To "traverse" a mountain means to climb across it, usually going up one side and down another. This was a huge accomplishment, as Mount Cook is New Zealand's highest mountain. The first woman to do this was Freda Du Faur.

Later Climbs and Travels

Jane Thomson continued her climbing adventures even as she got older.

• When she was 68, she made her first climb of the lower peak of Mount Rolleston. This mountain is located in Arthur's Pass National Park.
• Even at the age of 80, her love for mountains was still strong! She traveled all the way to Kashmir to visit Nanga Parbat, one of the world's tallest and most challenging mountains.

Jane Thomson was a true pioneer. She showed incredible courage and determination throughout her life, inspiring many with her love for the mountains.