False Summit: Gender in Mountaineering Nonfiction

The race to climb Everest catapulted mountain climbing into the public sphere, but it remains the preserve of traditional white male heroism. False Summit unpacks gender politics in the expedition narratives and memoirs of mountaineers in the Himalayas and the Karakoram, suggesting that the genre has reached a false summit and that mountaineering is not ready to welcome other ways of climbing or other kinds of climbers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 14 April 2021
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

The race to conquer Everest has brought mountain climbing to the forefront of global public consciousness, accompanied by iconic images of triumph and athleticism. However, when viewed as a metaphor for human achievement, mountaineering continues to be predominantly associated with traditional white male heroism.

False Summit delves into the complex dynamics of gender politics within the expedition narratives and memoirs of mountaineers in the Himalayas and the Karakoram. It raises the question: Why are women still a minority in the world's highest places? Julie Rak suggests that the genre of mountaineering has reached a false summit, a peak that fails to represent the ultimate pinnacle. She argues that mountaineering is not yet ready to embrace alternative ways of climbing or diverse climbers.

For over two centuries, mountaineering has played a significant role in shaping how individuals understand themselves within the context of conquest, adventure, and proximity to risk. As climbing becomes more diverse, Rak questions why change is challenging to achieve and why gender bias and other inequalities persist in the sport.

Through the exploration of classic and lesser-known expedition accounts from Everest, K2, and Annapurna, False Summit offers valuable insights into why mountaineering remains one of the most powerful mediums for articulating gender identities and politics.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228006275