56 Peaks, 27 Years, and a Full-Time Job
56 Peaks, 27 Years, and a Full-Time Job
Lida Frydrychova Completes the Canadian Rockies 11,000ers
When Lida Frydrychova stood on her final 11,000-foot peak in the Canadian Rockies in August of 2025, it wasn’t the end of a neatly planned project – it was the result of decades of curiosity, persistence, and steady skill-building, all rooted in community.
What started out as 54 peaks grew over time, ultimately becoming a total of 56 11,000ers. Lida has now climbed all 56, becoming the third woman ever to complete this feat—but notably, she is the first woman who is not a professional climber. “I am proud to join the ranks of Nancy Hansen and Helen Sovdat, who were the other two women,” she says, adding with a laugh that she’s also the first full-time accountant to do so.
“I didn’t even know there was a list when I climbed my first one,” Lida says. “That was 27 years ago. I didn’t speak much English at the time. I was just climbing.”
Finding the Mountains and the ACC Community
Lida’s more focused journey into mountaineering began about 16 years ago, after she joined The Alpine Club of Canada. What started with scrambling gradually grew into technical climbing and glacier travel, supported by ACC courses, section trips, and the people she met along the way.
“The Alpine Club was really the start of my mountain sports,” she says. “That’s where I learned the skills, and that’s where I met most of the people I climb with.”
Like many Rockies mountaineers, her first 11,000er was Mount Temple, which she’s now climbed three times. “Everybody used to start with Temple,” she laughs.
Over time, her involvement with the ACC grew beyond her own climbing. Lida now serves on the ACC Finance Committee, helping guide the organization with the same thoughtfulness and long-term planning she brings to the mountains.
Leadership Beyond the Rope
For Lida, leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about making space for others to learn safely and confidently.
She brought that philosophy to life when developing the Alpine Mentorship Program with the ACC Calgary Section, which connects newer members with experienced mountaineers in a structured, supportive way. The program focuses on building skills, making smart decisions, and gaining independence—values Lida sees as essential in the mountains.
In recognition of this work, Lida received the ACC Eric Brooks Leader Award in 2017, the Silver Rope Award in 2018, and the Don Forest Service Award in 2022. All these awards honour mountaineering leadership skills and exceptional contributions to the ACC’s mission.
“It’s important to pass knowledge on,” she says. “Especially for people who want to become independent in the mountains.”
Balancing Work, Life, and Big Goals
One of the most common questions Lida gets is how she managed such a massive climbing goal while working full time.
Her answer is refreshingly straightforward: organization, efficiency, and planning.
“I don’t go when the weather is bad. That helps,” she says. “And I don’t rush objectives I’m not ready for. If it’s stressful, it’s not enjoyable.”
She didn’t set out to tick off all 56 peaks at once. She climbed steadily, sometimes just a few in a year, especially when travel or other priorities got in the way. It wasn’t until she had about ten peaks left that finishing felt real.
“At that point, my partners and I realized we had many of the same tricky peaks left, the ones with tough weather windows or long approaches. We were all motivated to finish together.”
Partners, Independence, and Earning Trust
Lida credits much of her success to trusted climbing partners, many met through the ACC. One longtime climbing partner, Rick Thiessen, played a big role in several climbs.
“He’s a very seasoned mountaineer,” she says. “Very fit, very experienced. And his story is incredible: surviving cancer, injuries, and still getting after it.” Lida also gave a shout-out to Tami Nolan, Barney Brown, Brad Vonau, and several other ACC members in her earlier years, who were excellent climbing partners. She credits her boyfriend Rob as being especially supportive of her ambitions.
She’s also honest about the extra barriers women can face in the mountains. “You have to prove yourself.” she says.
Her advice to other women is simple: focus on skills, take courses, seek mentorship, and become someone others trust to climb with and learn from.
“If you want to be independent in the mountains, you need the skills,” she says. “That makes everything easier.”
Changing Mountains, Changing Conditions
Some of Lida’s toughest climbs weren’t about technical difficulty alone, but changing and unpredictable conditions, especially on glaciated peaks.
The Robson area stands out. Mount Robson, Helmet Mountain, and Whitehorn took multiple attempts and challenging planning because of weather, route changes, and shifting glacier conditions. “The guide books are a little old now,” she notes. “You have to take everything with a grain of salt, especially on glaciers.”
On Mount Robson, she and her partner had to find a new route around visible crevasses and unstable seracs, making on-the-spot decisions. “That’s when you really have to improvise and think for yourself,” she says.
Summer, Winter, and Everything in Between
About two-thirds of her 11,000ers were climbed in summer, with the rest in winter. Winter often made access safer on heavily glaciated terrain like the Columbia Icefields.
Some peaks were climbed in both seasons, giving completely different experiences. Mount Clemenceau, for example, was first attempted in summer, then successfully climbed and skied in early July.
“It felt like two different mountains,” she says.
Longer summers haven’t made it any easier either. Smoke, heat, and unpredictable weather have narrowed already tight windows.
“You’d think longer summers would help,” Lida says. “But now we have fire season affecting conditions.”
Favourites, Lessons, and Giving Back
When asked about her favourite ascent, Lida doesn’t hesitate.
“Mount Edith Cavell,” she says. “Great rock, great views, quick up and down. It’s very enjoyable.”
Her advice for anyone tackling big mountain goals?
“Get the right training. Build your skills gradually. Don’t just chance it.”
Preparation, she says, is part of the joy, not a barrier to it.
“Being prepared is part of the fun.”
A Quietly Remarkable Contribution
Only 22 people are known to have completed all 56 of the Canadian Rockies 11,000ers. Lida is proud to be among them but stays understated about it.
She’s already planning future trips, checking weather and trip reports instead of watching TV, and encouraging others to follow their own paths, on their own terms.
“Do it because you enjoy it,” she says. “That’s what matters.”
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