Adventurer Shannon Galpin’s Memoir Explores Women’s Rights and Bikes in Afghanistan
Taking action looks different for everyone. For Shannon Galpin, her action takes the form of empowering women and girls in conflict regions and her vehicle of change is the bicycle. In 2008, Shannon, a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, traveled to Afghanistan for the first time. Since then she has been the first woman to ride a mountain bike in the country and to ride across the Panjshir Valley, and she has supported and witnessed a burgeoning movement of women daring to ride bicycles in the face of adversity.
This week, Shannon is releasing her first book, Mountain to Mountain. This deeply personal and moving memoir tells the story of her work in Afghanistan and the women who have changed her path in life. But more than that, it is a tale of adventure, heartbreak, joy and laughter, struggle and triumph, and what it means to dare to believe, to connect, and to take action—no matter what it looks like.
In the days before her book launch in New York City, I caught up with Shannon to ask her a few questions about the journey so far and where she’s going from here.
SG: Most people think their actions are simply too small. I think its a matter of asking yourself what do you care about? My daughter cares about snow leopards losing their habitat and going extinct. So in the 3rd grade she held a fundraiser at school, put up posters about snow leopards and their habitat and the reasons they are going extinct and raised $250 to adopt a snow leopard for the school. She used her voice about something she cared about, inspired others to get involved, and contributed to a cause she cares about. Would she rather be tracking them in the Himalaya? Yes, she would. But for a 3rd grader its a great first step. Fracking, food deserts, clean water, animal rights, gender violence, whatever it is that moves you, simply look at small ways to take action and see where that takes you.
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- Cougar travels 1,000 miles in one of longest recorded treksCougar travels 1,000 miles in one of longest recorded treks
- Rare gray whale spotted in the Atlantic—and it's only the beginningRare gray whale spotted in the Atlantic—and it's only the beginning
- Why 'funga' is just as important as flora and faunaWhy 'funga' is just as important as flora and fauna
- Termite fossils prove mating hasn't changed in 38 million yearsTermite fossils prove mating hasn't changed in 38 million years
Environment
- Why the 2024 hurricane season could be especially activeWhy the 2024 hurricane season could be especially active
- Mushroom leather? The future of fashion is closer than you think.Mushroom leather? The future of fashion is closer than you think.
- This deadly fungus is hitchhiking its way across the worldThis deadly fungus is hitchhiking its way across the world
- Why 'funga' is just as important as flora and faunaWhy 'funga' is just as important as flora and fauna
- This exploding mine holds a treasure that may change the worldThis exploding mine holds a treasure that may change the world
History & Culture
- See the story of Jonah and the whale like never beforeSee the story of Jonah and the whale like never before
- This ancient mosaic offers extraordinary insights into the pastThis ancient mosaic offers extraordinary insights into the past
- These are the real dunes that inspired Dune—and you can visit themThese are the real dunes that inspired Dune—and you can visit them
- Meet the only woman privy to the plot to kill Julius CaesarMeet the only woman privy to the plot to kill Julius Caesar
Science
- Women’s bodies are understudied—but that’s starting to changeWomen’s bodies are understudied—but that’s starting to change
- Hundreds of tiny arachnids are likely on your face right nowHundreds of tiny arachnids are likely on your face right now
- What's worse than a hangover? Hangxiety. Here's why it happens.What's worse than a hangover? Hangxiety. Here's why it happens.
Travel
- A taste of West Bengal, from curries to Kolkata street foodA taste of West Bengal, from curries to Kolkata street food
- Discover southeastern Spain's secret coastal regionDiscover southeastern Spain's secret coastal region
- All aboard Norway's slow train under the midnight sunAll aboard Norway's slow train under the midnight sun