Series 1, Ep. 3/3
Three trailblazing women – Ruby Wax, Melanie Brown and Emily Atack – come together to re-trace the footsteps of intrepid Victorian explorer Isabella Bird, whose exploits have largely been lost to history.
In the final week of their journey, Ruby, Mel and Emily meet the modern-day mavericks who, like Isabella Bird, are ripping up the rule book in search of health and happiness.
In Colorado Springs, they meet two mixed-race African American sisters blazing a trail through the male dominated world of Rodeo. Champion barrel racers Aleeyah, 20, and Savannah, 14, attempt to teach Ruby, Mel and Emily how to lasso.
Isabella’s memoir depicts many close encounters with wild creatures. To replicate this, Ruby takes Mel and Emily to the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Sanctuary, where they howl with wolves.
In Sasquatch country, Ruby and Emily head deep into the forest in search of the mythical beast, whilst Mel isn’t convinced.
The trio visit Crestone, a unique area of Colorado which sits at the foot of the Sangre De Cristo mountain range. The area is said to have a strange cosmic energy, drawing people from all over the world who are looking for spiritual enlightenment. Ruby, Emily and Mel sing with trees whilst they reflect on their own relationships with spirituality and nature.
Finally, to honour their heroine, the three trailblazers attempt to step out of their own comfort zone, as they emulate Isabella’s most impressive feat – summitting a 14,000ft mountain. The freezing temperatures, 70mph winds and high altitude mean that they must rally together and draw on the strength of Isabella – who made it to the summit wearing men’s boots that were far too big – to reach the peak.
Trailblazers: A Rocky Mountain Road Trip
Monday at 9.00pm on BBC Two.
Image: BBC/Studio Ramsay/Jill Worsley.
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