Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life [Paperback]

A legendary trailblazer, Arlene Blum defied the climbing establishment of the 1970s by leading the first all-female teams on successful ascents of Mount McKinley and Annapurna and by being the first American woman to attempt Mount Everest. At the same time, her groundbreaking scientific work challenged gender stereotypes in the academic community and led to important legislation banning carcinogens in childrens sleepwear. With candor and humor,Breaking Trailrecounts Blums journey from an overprotected childhood in Chicago to the tops of some of the highest peaks on earth, and to a life lived on her own terms. Now with an index, additional photos, and a new afterword, this book is a moving testament to the power of taking risks and pursuing dreams.

PRAISE FORBREAKING TRAIL

Personal and disarmingly honest . . . [Blum] simply tells her nourishing and deserving story, quietly reminding us that a womans place is indeed on top.  THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

A book too engrossing to put down.  THE SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER

CHAPTER 1  
 
Under the Porch
Davenport, Iowa, August 1949
The sun blazes relentlessly on me, so I grab my doll and climb into a cool, dark space under the back porch. I prop my doll up for a tea party. Between us I spread a lace handkerchief and lay out the blue glass doll dishes Mommy gave me for my fourth birthday. My aunts Ruth and Shirley are sitting on the porch above and their muffled words drift down. Lulled by the warm day, the drone of my aunts voices, and the sweet smell of the rosebushes that surround our house, I begin to doze.
 I hear my name, startle awake, and listen.
 With parents like that.
 I strain to hear their words. Theres something about my father, Germany . . . And then:
 Arlene . . . that child will amount to no good . . .
 Tears begin to blur my eyes. I curl up on the ground, hug my kneel!