Adeje Town Hall has awarded its 2025 Abinque Award to mountaineer and alpinist Pino Plasencia Casanova, in recognition of her sporting career in a field historically dominated by men. The award ceremony took place at the Adeje Auditorium as part of the programme marking 8 March, International Women’s Day.
Pino Plasencia Casanova has been recognised not only for her personal achievements in mountaineering and alpinism but also for the impact her career has had in raising the visibility of women in sport. Throughout her journey, she has challenged stereotypes that only associate endurance and adventure disciplines with men, proving that women can excel in extreme sports and reach great summits across different continents. Her example has been an inspiration to many other women, encouraging them to break barriers and believe in their own abilities.
The award recipient expressed her gratitude and emotion at receiving the recognition, highlighting the mountain as a symbol of the challenges and achievements of women. "In my life, I have had the opportunity to climb many mountains. I have felt the biting cold on my skin, the wind trying to knock me down, and the exhaustion whispering that I should give up. But I have also felt the satisfaction of reaching the summit and knowing that every effort was worthwhile. Each mountain I have climbed is a reminder of what we are capable of achieving when we believe in ourselves," said Pino, emphasising the resilience and perseverance that women demonstrate in all areas of life.
During her speech, Pino Plasencia urged all women to pursue their dreams without fear or limits. "We have been told many times that we cannot, that we are too fragile, too emotional, or too small for great achievements. But I want to say that there are no limits for a determined woman. Equality is not a gift; it is a conquest, and each of us is a conqueror. I urge you to climb your own mountains, to keep moving forward, and to believe in your own strength. Do not wait for anyone’s permission to shine, because we do not just climb mountains – we are the mountains," she concluded, earning a round of applause from the audience.
The mayor of Adeje, José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga, highlighted the award winner’s career as an example of perseverance and determination in such a demanding field as mountaineering. "Pino is a paradigm of what it means to break barriers and challenge limits. She has demonstrated that women can excel in any discipline, even those historically marked by a male presence. Her ability to take on challenges, to break out and breathe in at the highest peaks, symbolises the path that still lies ahead in the fight for equality," said the mayor, underlining her impact as a role model for future generations of women.
Meanwhile, the councillor for Equality and Diversity, José Antonio López Delgado, delivered an emotional and powerful speech. "To those who question equality policies, I say that we are not talking about the cost, but about solutions. Gender-based violence, discrimination, and exclusion come at a far greater human and economic cost. Adeje Town Hall chooses to prevent, protect, and educate. I stress that when we invest in equality, we invest in progress. That is why today I call on everyone to remain united in defending these policies, not out of ideology, but because without equality, there is no dignity, no democracy, and no possible future. Adeje is a municipality where equality unites us, diversity strengthens us, and justice defines us."
During the ceremony, Rodríguez Fraga also reflected on the significance of the Abinque Award and the importance of recognising the role of women in different areas of society. "Over its twenty-two editions, this award has honoured exemplary women who have been beacons of struggle and commitment from various fields. Whether in agriculture, education, or sport, the recipients of the Abinque Award symbolise resilience and progress towards a fairer and more equal society," he said.
The mayor referred to the metaphor of breaking out and breathing in, stressing that this message goes beyond sport and reflects the need for women to break through the barriers that still hold them back. "Breaking out and breathing in symbolises that search for freedom, the need to break moulds and find one’s own space. Many women still face inequality and violence, and this message is an invitation to free themselves from these constraints and build their own path with freedom and dignity," he concluded.
Pino Plasencia, a mountaineer at the highest level
Pino Plasencia Casanova was born in La Gomera but moved to Adeje at 3 years old where she grew up. She has dedicated her life to nature and the mountains. Her passion for hiking led her to discover high-altitude mountaineering during a trip to Morocco - an experience that marked the beginning of a path filled with challenges and personal achievements. Over the years, she has climbed more than fourteen peaks above 3,000 metres and has successfully completed ascents in the 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, and 7,000-metre categories, establishing herself as a leading figure in alpinism. She is currently working towards the challenge of climbing the seven highest volcanoes in the world, having already conquered six. To complete this extraordinary feat, only Mount Sidley in Antarctica remains, which would make her the first Spanish woman to achieve this milestone.
The year 2024 was a defining one in her career, as she faced physically and mentally demanding expeditions in some of the most extreme environments on the planet. In January, she completed a seven-day trek across the Patagonian Ice Field in Argentina, covering over 130 kilometres in harsh weather conditions. In May, she climbed a peak of over 4,000 metres in Armenia, and in August, she undertook a 160-kilometre trek over eight days in Greenland. She ended the year in Argentina’s Cóndor region, successfully ascending three 5,000-metre peaks and one at 4,500 metres. Her greatest achievement to date came with the long-awaited ascent of Ojos del Salado, at 6,883 metres, after two previous unsuccessful attempts. With this latest conquest, only Mount Sidley remains to complete her challenge, cementing her status as one of Spain’s leading alpinists.
The Abinque Award
The Abinque Award, established in 2004, aims to recognise women or organisations that have stood out for their commitment to gender equality and their contribution to the social and community development of Adeje. The award, crafted by the San Juan Association, represents not only the figure of a woman but also the journey from the Barranco del Infierno to the Humilladero in La Caleta, symbolising effort, resilience, and the path towards equality.
