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About
In 1986, as part of a Canadian team, Sharon Wood became the first woman from the Americas to summit Mount Everest-and the first woman in the world to do so via the West Ridge from Tibet and without Sherpa support. But it's how she got there that is truly compelling.
In Rising, the personal motivation that drove Wood to reach further and further heights are detailed through the years leading up to the career-defining climb. Often the only woman on expeditions, Wood was an outlier in a predominantly male bastion of high altitude alpine climbing. Against the backdrop of the stunning Himalayan mountains in the days before Everest became as commercialized as it is today, Wood explores the camaraderie and rivalry, the relatable challenges of falling in and out of love, and how she kept her drive to persevere. Subsequently, she recounts how she struggled with unexpected acclaim and expectations following her ascent of Everest, but ultimately found fulfilment and her place in the world.
As she tells her story today, her perspective is steeped in six decades of life experience rich with adrenalin, change, reflection and humility. It is a tale that still feels poignantly relevant-a testament to the strength of the human spirit to overcome all obstacles, whether mountain peaks, social expectations or self-imposed barriers.
In Rising, the personal motivation that drove Wood to reach further and further heights are detailed through the years leading up to the career-defining climb. Often the only woman on expeditions, Wood was an outlier in a predominantly male bastion of high altitude alpine climbing. Against the backdrop of the stunning Himalayan mountains in the days before Everest became as commercialized as it is today, Wood explores the camaraderie and rivalry, the relatable challenges of falling in and out of love, and how she kept her drive to persevere. Subsequently, she recounts how she struggled with unexpected acclaim and expectations following her ascent of Everest, but ultimately found fulfilment and her place in the world.
As she tells her story today, her perspective is steeped in six decades of life experience rich with adrenalin, change, reflection and humility. It is a tale that still feels poignantly relevant-a testament to the strength of the human spirit to overcome all obstacles, whether mountain peaks, social expectations or self-imposed barriers.
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Reviews
"More than a superb, nail-biting account of her ascent of Mt. Everest, Rising is Sharon Wood's deeply personal reflection on loyalty, gratitude, and the unbreakable bonds formed on the mountain."
Bernadette McDonald, award-winning author of Art of Freedom
"Rising, by Canadian climber and guide Sharon Wood, captures a major breakthrough for women in high-stakes mountaineering. Her exploration not only of the climb itself but also of relationships, her passion for the mountains, and her own uncertainties make Rising an inspiring read for anyone pursuing their own sense of place on this lumpy planet."
Tom Hornbein, author of Everest, the West Ridge
"…a fiercely and beautifully honest telling of one of Canada's most important mountain stories by one of our most important mountain voices. Sharon reminds us of the way that Everest should be climbed, and helps us understand the many ways that a mountain can change a life."
Geoff Powter, Former Editor, Canadian Alpine Journal