Rubaba, Sayeba, and Gufran are three Muslim girls from Kargil that spend their free time climbing some of the biggest mountains in the Ladakhi region. Kargil is a remote region in the rugged mountains of Ladakh, India. It is located in the northernmost part of the country, bordering Pakistan. The area's remote mountains are characterized by their hot, dry, and rugged terrain, with an average altitude of 11,000 feet. This image from an ongoing story called "The Mountain Girls of Kargil" is a photo essay that bears witness to a story about the courage to explore one's identity in the face of societal constraints and the roles she must take on within her culture. These societal constraints include gender norms, limited educational opportunities, and cultural expectations that often restrict women's freedom and potential. This story illuminates the profound strength found in quiet acts of defiance.