Olivia Cazes is attempting to become the first woman to travel solo on horseback along the trans-continental Pan-American Highway.
The journey represents a historic effort to bridge the Americas through a mode of transport that predates the highway system. Cazes is navigating diverse terrains and climates to establish a new milestone for female explorers.
Cazes, a resident of Armagh, Quebec, began her expedition in 2022 [1]. Her route spans from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska [1], [2]. This path follows the corridor of the Pan-American Highway, one of the longest motorized road systems in the world.
The total distance of the trek is approximately 26,000 km [1]. Traveling by horse requires significant logistical planning and endurance, as the rider must manage the animal's health alongside their own over thousands of miles.
By crossing multiple borders and varying ecosystems, Cazes is documenting the challenges of solo travel in remote regions. The journey focuses on the physical and mental demands of long-distance equestrian travel, a feat few have attempted on this scale.
Cazes aims to be the first woman to complete this specific solo crossing [1]. Her progress takes her through the southern tip of South America, northward through Central America, and eventually into the far north of the U.S. and Canada.
“Olivia Cazes is attempting to become the first woman to travel solo on horseback along the trans-continental Pan-American Highway.”
This expedition highlights the intersection of traditional navigation and modern endurance. By attempting a 26,000 km journey on horseback, Cazes is not only testing human and animal stamina but also challenging historical gender barriers in extreme exploration and solo trans-continental travel.
