Climbing the Seven Volcanoes: A Search for Strength

At the age of 30, Sophie Cairns, a party-loving journalist in China, lost her father suddenly. In her grief, she defied her chronic asthma and climbed the world's seven highest volcanoes to raise funds for charity in his memory. This is a story of redemption through mountain climbing, from Papua New Guinea to Russia via Antarctica. Despite her limitations and mistakes, she encounters the snobbery of the professional climbing world and suffers altitude sickness but makes it to the top.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2023
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

When Sophie Cairns turned thirty, she was a party-loving journalist in China. Tragically, her father passed away suddenly, and she arrived at his bedside two hours too late. In the depths of her grief, she defied her chronic asthma and embarked on an extraordinary journey to climb the world's seven highest volcanoes, all in memory of her father. This remarkable tale of redemption through mountain climbing takes us from Papua New Guinea to Russia, and even to Antarctica. Despite being an amateur climber, the author candidly shares her limitations and (sometimes humorous) mistakes throughout the expedition. She encounters the snobbery of the professional climbing world, where she is dressed in an extensive array of protective gear, including a purple goose down onesie as thick as a duvet. Underneath her plush expedition suit, she layers two pairs of climbing pants, a soft-shell jacket, a fleece top, inner gloves, outer gloves, and plastic boots. Not to mention thermal underwear. Despite the overwhelming layers, she is told by others lounging around in T-shirts and shorts that she doesn't need to wear her Antarctica clothes yet. Undeterred, Sophie perseveres and conquers the challenges that lie ahead. She experiences altitude sickness, a particularly dangerous condition for asthmatics, but she pushes through with unwavering determination. In the end, Sophie finds solace and closure as she bids farewell to her father in the immense and fiery embrace of the volcanoes. This incredible story of resilience and self-discovery showcases the power of determination and the ability to overcome adversity, even in the face of the most daunting challenges.

Weight: 234g
Dimension: 130 x 198 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398117266