How is Julianna Howatt working to empower outdoor adventurers?

Julianna Howatt is now serving on the board of directors for the Open Mountains Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering inclusive mountain culture and removing barriers for marginalized groups to access the great outdoors.

What is the significance of the film "Beauty in a Fall" for Julianna Howatt's story?

The film "Beauty in a Fall," which premiered at the Banff Film Festival, documents Julianna Howatt's journey of coming out as a transgender woman and her efforts to break down barriers in the outdoor adventure community.

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Transgender Mountain Guide Breaks Barriers, Empowers Outdoor Adventurers

Q: What challenges did Julianna Howatt face as a transgender mountain guide?

Julianna Howatt, a veteran mountain guide, faced greater fears of being outed as a transgender woman than the physical dangers of her profession, such as avalanches. She had to hide her true identity for over four decades, only expressing her femininity in private moments.

16 Nov

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Summary

Julianna Howatt, a veteran mountain guide, hid her identity as a transgender woman for decades
She faced fears of being outed rather than avalanche dangers while working in the backcountry
Now, Howatt is working to remove barriers and encourage adventure for marginalized groups

In November 2025, the story of Julianna Howatt, a veteran mountain guide in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, is being shared with the world. For most of her career, Howatt outwardly embodied the stereotypical image of a mountain guide - a muscular, masculine figure. However, she secretly identified as a transgender woman, fearing that being outed would jeopardize her career, friendships, and personal safety.

Howatt's fears of being exposed as transgender often overshadowed her concerns about the physical dangers of her profession, such as avalanches. She would compartmentalize her true identity, only allowing herself to express her femininity in private moments. It was not until after a traumatic climbing accident and her retirement from guiding that Howatt decided to come out as a transgender woman.