Women on High: Pioneers of Mountaineering

In a time when a woman s sphere was decidedly limited to hearth and family, a number of courageous women were stepping out, stepping up, and making history far from the comforts of the homefire. Mountaineering s early days found male climbers garnering praise and admiration for daring summit ascents while women were relegated to the role of faithful observers. But not all women were satisfied with the view from the valley many yearned for the thrill of gazing down on the world from the peaks of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and Mount Washington. In this exciting addition to the literature of mountaineering, journalist Rebecca Brown chronicles the lives and achievements of inspiring women who not only followed in the footsteps of their male counterparts, but often surpassed them. Brown explores the motivations that led such women as Annie Smith Peck, Lucy Walker, and Meta Brevoort to ignore convention, criticism, and censure to become accomplished, respected outdoorswomen whose mountaineering feats are as extraordinary today as they were at the turn of the century. Women on High will thrill armchair adventurers with tales of dangerous summit attempts, blinding white outs, and narrow escapes; transfix mountain historians with details of first ascents, period gear, and first-hand accounts; and captivate anyone who loves a good story about the mountains."

Rebecca A. Brown is a freelance journalist whose writing focuses on outdoor and environmental issues. She lives in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire.