Kitty began guiding international climbing trips for the American Alpine Institute in 1985 and led climbs in Peru, Bolivia, Alaska, Argentina, and Nepal. In 1990, on a personal expedition to Nepal, she became the first woman to climb Makalu, the world's fifth highest peak - and by the technical W. Pillar, which had only received two ascents. With a rare ascent of the Diamond Couloir on Mt Kenya in 2005, she began to notice the effects of climate change and did a Tedx talk, "Last Ascents", about routes that may not get a repeat due to climate change, and her approach to dealing with it. She is an ambassador for Protect Our Winters, Patagonia, and SCARPA. She is excited about her role as a mentor of climbers from marginalized communities through the SCARPA Athlete Mentorship Initiative.