How Australia’s Most Accomplished Female Mountaineer Let Go Of Success in the Mountains – And Climbed Higher

Allie Pepper’s film Limitless Above the Clouds leads the Women’s Adventure Film Tour lineup. It’s a story of loss, dreams, and transformation.

You’d be forgiven for thinking Allie Pepper was invincible. She’s climbed over 8000m 12 times and half of those ascents were without supplemental oxygen.

In 2023, she decided to put her two decades of high-altitude mountaineering to the test, setting a goal to become the first Australian to climb all 14 of the world’s 8000m high peaks.

And she was going to do all of them without oxygen tanks.

But things didn’t go to plan – she unexpectedly lost her father, her marriage broke down, and she started going through menopause.

What followed was a period of deep introspection. One that forced her to question her motivation for climbing deadly peaks in the first place, and what she was trying to prove.

Allie on the ascent of 8,163m tall Manaslu, the world’s 8th tallest mountain

Following this thread, Allie took on a new kind of adventure, one that pushed deeper into her own mind. By letting go of the idea that mountains might prove her self worth, she found more success (and enjoyment) in the climb. 

Filmmaker Sammy Zammit fills Limitless Above the Clouds with jaw-dropping footage of the world’s tallest mountains, rare expedition footage, and raw, emotional interviews that will transport your mind and body.

Heads Up! Allie Pepper will be attending in person at screenings in Sydney’s East, Canberra, and the Blue Mountains.

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See It at the Women’s Adventure Film Tour

Kicking off from 1st September, the Women’s Adventure Film Tour presented by Mountain Designs is hitting 27 Australian locations.

Now in its 10th year, the 2026 curation represents the ‘spirit of perseverance and the power of women in the outdoors to inspire, entertain, and spark important conversations’.

Expect a focus on resilience and creativity, not just in the challenging outdoor environments these women endure, but the internal ones they carry with them.

What about the other films?

Glad you asked! The night kicks off with Women’s Night – 20 Years, a celebration of the iconic Women’s Night program at Whistler. Starting as a grassroots offering, the night has grown into a regular fixture that fosters inclusivity and shredding.

Given it happens at one of the best mountain bike parks in the world, its impact is felt throughout the sport.

The WAFT backs this up with What It Takes, an all female snowboard film that follows three women from British Columbia to the wilds of Patagonia. Think unplanned weather, logistical failings, and exhaustion – this film captures true resilience and confronts the discovery of the true expectations behind a challenging expedition.

Before you top up your popcorn, you’ll then follow Dr Kate Leeming OAM as she attempts to cycle across Queen Maud Land in Antarctica. The aptly named Journey Across Queen Maud Land on a Bike follows a 200km journey where Kate encounters everything from ice to deep snow and a crevasse field.

You’ll then strap in for Limitless Above the Clouds, the 48 minute epic that brought you here.

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