September 10, 2026 – Salt Lake City, Utah – LOWA, a global footwear brand renowned for over 100 years of premium craftsmanship, celebrates the successful completion of the LOWA Matterhorn Adventure in partnership with the Summit Scholarship Foundation, a non-profit that provides women access to mountaineering through training, mentorship, and financial assistance.
On September 2, scholarship recipients Tiffany Diep of New Hampshire and Noemi Kreuz of Germany set out to climb the iconic Matterhorn under the guidance of world-class alpinist Ines Papert. Despite months of rigorous preparation, getting to the summit was not straightforward. Conditions on the 14,692 ft mountain proved to be challenging for weeks leading up to the attempt, and the team continuously reassessed the situation with the counsel of local mountain guides. 
“In mountaineering, success is not measured solely by reaching a summit,” said Sunny Stroeer, Founder of the Summit Scholarship Foundation and LOWA Athlete. “Equally important is the ability to assess risks carefully and make the right decision for one’s own situation.”
Following a training day on the Riffelhorn and improved conditions on the Matterhorn, the team decided to make a summit attempt via Hörnli Ridge. Ultimately, Noemi Kreuz reached the summit along with mountain guide and LOWA ambassador Ramona Volken, while other members of the team decided to turn back at Solvay Hut after carefully evaluating their individual circumstances.
“This project was more than climbing a mountain,” said Summit Scholarship recipient Tiffany Diep. “Despite feeling drawn to the outdoors as a kid, it never crossed my mind that it was a place for me. Our journey is now documented, telling the story of the importance of gender equity in the outdoors. I hope that we can be those female role models I so desperately needed when I was a kid.”
Amidst a successful summit as well as individual turnaround decisions, the outcome of the 2026 LOWA Matterhorn Adventure reflects the program’s broader goal: creating opportunities for women to gain experience, confidence, and access to mountaineering through structured training, coaching, and support. The expedition was accompanied by an all-female film crew, with a documentary scheduled to premiere at the Tegernsee International Mountain Film Festival, October 14–18, 2026.
For more information about the Summit Scholarship Foundation and how to apply for future scholarships, visit summitscholarship.org. To learn more about LOWA USA and the latest brand news, visit us.lowa.com or contact Katie Richter at katie@darbycommunications.com.
