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Boundless: An Adventure Beyond Limits by Karen Darke ( 2012 ) Paperback
'Boundless' tells the stories of the author's biggest challenges as a rock climber after becoming paralysed from below the chest after a fall. It begins with a 600 km crossing of the Greenland icecap on sit-skis, followed by her ascent of El Capitan using only her hands.
Unknown Binding
First published September 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 28, 2020
I liked the versatility in adventures
May 5, 2022
Really enjoyed this.
Karen talks about her fears and it's not just about how awesome she is (although a quick glance and her wiki page will tell you how amazing she is!)
Karen talks about her fears and it's not just about how awesome she is (although a quick glance and her wiki page will tell you how amazing she is!)
January 3, 2025
Karen Darke is undoubtedly a certified badass. The things she's done, the places she's seen, the things she's fought (both mentally and physically) are absolutely unparalleled.
This book was recommended to me by a similar sort of sportswoman, and I loved the perspective this book gives on life. On what it means to break yourself physically, and still persevere. How it tastes to have adrenaline pumping through you, fear trying to stop you, and still going forward and upwards. Especially since we started at her fall, this book forces you to reframe how you think. Think about how you should use your body to experience the world.
It would be too easy to say this book was inspirational. It is that, but it is also more. Karen returns to El Cap, conquering it, years after her fall. This is an ungodly feat. I respect it.
The only reason this book scores slightly lower is that there were times, climaxes if you will, that I felt didn't reach their literary potential. Text that just didn't fully translate the emotions involved in the experience. Additionally, I wanted to hear more about how Andy and Karen's relationship unfolded, it is interesting that it was sparked by one message but it seems to be fundamental to her decision to climb El Cap, and yet not fully explored either.
Overall, a brilliant book about a brilliant person who saw herself fulfil her potential over and over.
This book was recommended to me by a similar sort of sportswoman, and I loved the perspective this book gives on life. On what it means to break yourself physically, and still persevere. How it tastes to have adrenaline pumping through you, fear trying to stop you, and still going forward and upwards. Especially since we started at her fall, this book forces you to reframe how you think. Think about how you should use your body to experience the world.
It would be too easy to say this book was inspirational. It is that, but it is also more. Karen returns to El Cap, conquering it, years after her fall. This is an ungodly feat. I respect it.
The only reason this book scores slightly lower is that there were times, climaxes if you will, that I felt didn't reach their literary potential. Text that just didn't fully translate the emotions involved in the experience. Additionally, I wanted to hear more about how Andy and Karen's relationship unfolded, it is interesting that it was sparked by one message but it seems to be fundamental to her decision to climb El Cap, and yet not fully explored either.
Overall, a brilliant book about a brilliant person who saw herself fulfil her potential over and over.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews