Featured in 2027
mountain guide · Seven Summits
Indonesia
Fransiska, known as Deedee, is an Indonesian mountaineer and certified mountain guide, and one of the first two Indonesian women to complete the Seven Summits. She guides to give back, her own path built on the help of others, and works to open leading roles for Indonesian women in the mountains. She values most the moments she made happen alone: a solo one-day hike she navigated herself, and a multipitch climb where she led four of the five pitches.
What do you do in the mountains?
I had the privilege of becoming one of the first two Indonesian women to complete the Seven Summits. In 2019, a Russian guide invited me to assist on a Carstensz Pyramid expedition, which led me to become a certified Indonesian Mountain Guide. Guiding lets me give back, because my own journey was only possible through countless helping hands.
Mountains have always been where my mind finds quiet, though my purpose has evolved from personal achievement to education, community, and helping others reach their dreams. I'm also managing Bipolar II, continuing to learn resilience through life, training, and climbing.
The moment that means the most
I am a scaredy-cat kinda girl. So the wins I feel are worth most are when I make something happen for myself. Before, I wouldn't go anywhere without partners - just waiting for the opportunity rather than making it myself. Then I arranged a solo one-day hike, drove my motorcycle to the trailhead and went up alone, navigating and everything. The second one was when I planned a multipitch climb and ended up leading four out of five pitches.
It sounds small, but those are big moments for me. I was so proud of myself. Like I always say: I was once a scared little girl acting tough. Now... still scared, but fighting fears.
What's next?
The rest of 2026 I want to do more solo projects while improving my skills - and still guiding. In 2027 we're planning to attempt alpine-climbing the Eiger's North Face and the Grandes Jorasses' North Face.
I'm so inspired by Summit Scholarship to make opportunity not only for myself but for Indonesian female adventurers in more leading roles.
Deedee is one of twelve women in the 2027 Women of Mountaineering wall calendar. Every calendar funds future Summit Scholarships and Adventure Lens Grants for women and girls.
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