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Caroline Gleich: Moving Mountains

Hi, I'm Caroline, a professional ski mountaineer, activist, and candidate for US Senate.

My journey has taken me to the world’s highest peaks, seen me testify before Congress on the impact of climate change, and found me championing environmental and social justice issues. From conquering mountains to standing up for crucial causes, I've expanded my passion for sports into a platform for change.

From a young age, I dreamed of becoming a professional skier, inspired by the magnificence of the mountains.

Growing up with three brothers, I learned toughness, resilience, and a love for the outdoors. My half-brother Martin played a pivotal role, introducing me to climbing and creating some of my happiest childhood memories.

My life changed tragically at 15 years old when Martin was buried by an avalanche in Stairs Gulch at the age of 37. Losing him changed me profoundly, igniting a commitment to honor his memory by embracing the challenges of the big mountains. Ski mountaineering became my passion, and I worked my way up from coaching, being a ski nanny, and selling gear to realizing my dream of becoming a professional ski mountaineer.

From there, I went on to climb and ski some of the world's highest peaks. I proposed to my now-husband on the peak of Cho Oyu, the 6th highest mountain in the world. My next challenge was summiting Mt. Everest with a torn ACL.

I became the first woman and sixth person to finish Andrew McLean's Chuting Gallery - a steep guidebook to 90 of Utah's hardest ski lines but the defining moment came when I skied the very line where Martin lost his life. Fueled by a newfound determination, I embarked on a mission to give back to the people and places that shaped my life.

Driven by purpose, I’ve fought passionately to protect our environment, using my voice and platform to speak out on crucial issues like climate change, public lands, and more. The mountains have become more than a playground; they’re my call to action to advocate for the preservation of the planet and harmony among its people.  

Despite warnings that it could harm my career, I persisted in being an activist: I rallied, lobbied, and testified. My focus remained on advocating for people and the planet.

Now, I'm taking on one of my toughest challenges yet: running for the United States Senate to represent the incredible people of Utah. It's a new climb, but I carry the lessons learned from the mountains—unwavering commitment, resilience, and the determination to make positive change.

"As I start this climb towards the U.S. Senate, I carry with me the lessons learned from reaching mountain peaks and navigating life's terrain. My commitment is unwavering—to empower, to protect, and to advocate for a brighter future for all Utahns.”

- Caroline Gleich

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Caroline's Accomplishments off the Mountain

When Caroline is not in the mountains, she has been advocating for people and the planet for decades. She has always used her platform for change.

  • Graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Utah with a BS in Anthropology, and was honored with a Distinguished Alumni Award

  • Testified before the Senate Special Committee on the Climate Crisis urging Congress to act on the climate crisis and public lands

  • Helped lobby Park City Council to adopt plan to get to 100% renewable energy

  • Testified before the United States House Natural Resources Committee on Natural Resources for a Hearing on H.R. 5435, the American Public Lands and Waters Climate Solution Act

  • Organized a ‘Run to Redistrict’ through all four of Utah’s congressional districts to raise money for the anti-gerrymandering lawsuit

  • Helped raise over $100k to build Bears Ears Visitors Center through a ‘vert-a-thon’ in which she and other athlete advocates climbed and skied over 100k vertical feet in a day

  • Worked for Ted Wilson, environmental advisor to Governor Gary Herbert working across the aisle on state level environmental policy 

  • Organized members of the outdoor industry as part of a large-scale endorsement and support campaign to elect the Biden-Harris ticket in 2020

  • Worked for 15+ years with Protect Our Winters’ Athlete Alliance to help raise awareness of the impacts of climate crisis on the outdoor industry

  • Joined other content creators to tour an active NATO aircraft carrier in the Adriatic Sea to raise awareness of the importance of mutual defense and protecting democracy globally

  • Hosted, spoke, and organized rallies for clean air, Bears Ears, and the Great Salt Lake 

  • Year over year, consistently met with elected officials on the local, state, and federal levels to advocate for clean air, public lands, clean energy, and climate action

  • Advocated for mental health awareness and cyberbullying prevention by sharing personal stories of cyber-harassment 

  • Destigmatized women's health, fertility, and egg freezing by documenting every step of the process 

  • Was featured in an REI documentary, Follow Through, profiling the completion of the 90 lines of the Chuting Gallery

  • Served a three year term as a Wasatch Backcountry Alliance as a board member focused on protecting the human-powered snowsports experience in the Wasatch.

  • Skied with Senator Martin Heinrich to advocate for legislation to move toward a clean energy future.

  • Honored as Utah Clean Energy's Climate Champion of the year.

  • Featured in a short film by the Wilderness Society advocating for 'roadless areas' to stop the development of national forests.