In March 2026, four AFLW players known for their impact on and off the field joined our Nepal Women’s Expedition. Created in partnership with North Melbourne Football Club and the AFL Players Association, this is a look at the connections made along the way – and the stars redefining the game.
Watch: Breaking Barriers
As they trekked through the Annapurna region to Australia Base Camp and Landruk, this journey proved that while the group’s paths may have started worlds apart, their purpose was the same.
Ruby Schleicher
Ruby Schleicher
AFLW player – Collingwood
An inaugural Collingwood AFLW draftee turned club captain, Ruby Schleicher is a two-time All-Australian defender whose rise from foundation player to leader traces the AFLW’s own journey.
Darcy Vescio
AFLW player – Carlton
The first AFLW player to kick 50 career goals, Darcy Vescio has used their platform as one of the AFLW’s most recognisable figures to champion inclusivity and cultural representation in football.
AFLW player – North Melbourne
Jasmine Garner
Charting a course of sustained success, Jasmine Garner kicked the AFLW's first-ever goal, then collected eight All-Australian blazers, three AFLPA MVP Awards and Australian and premiership captaincy.
Ash Riddell
Ash Riddell
AFLW player – North Melbourne
The AFLW’s Best and Fairest and NMFC’s Club Champion in 2025, Ash Riddell has climbed her way from being overlooked by recruiters to becoming one of football’s most decorated midfielders.
Meet the trailblazers
Leading the players on this adventure – and taking on what has traditionally been men’s work – was Keshu Sherpa and her team of assistant guides and porters, the ‘sisters’.