Climbing Through: A Courageous Story of Grit, Healing, and Second Chances

by Melissa Strong

In Climbing Through, Melissa Strong, a rock climber and restaurateur, unveils her remarkable journey of survival and resilience in the face of mortality after being horrifically injured by electricity.

Transporting readers back to her early days in New England, Strong vividly recounts her transformation from a self-described “C” student in gym class to a sponsored rock climber. She dismantles conventional expectations, forging a distinctive path that culminates in the realization of her own restaurant venture.

Navigating her uncertainties about parenthood and grappling with the challenges of infertility, Strong rebounds toward her dreams and weaves them into tangible aspirations. The vision of her restaurant takes shape, but in a fateful twist, a near-fatal encounter with a powerful electric current during the renovation process leaves her confronting the stark reality of her altered hands, once the lifeblood of her livelihood and rock-climbing passion. As she navigates the complex realm of medical intervention, enduring multiple surgeries and an arduous recovery, she discovers within herself an indomitable spirit that propels her through adversity.

Climbing Through is a poignant chronicle of unwavering fortitude, an inspiring testament to the triumph of the human spirit over life’s most daunting challenges. 

277 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2026

Reviews

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written narrative of recovery, both mental and physical, from a horrendous injury. Strong shares her fears and vulnerabilities as well as her determination, which makes this book a powerful read. This book goes beyond the worn phrase about positive attitude; Strong celebrates even seemingly small achievements, realizing they are cumulative.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa Strong‘s very personal memoir is powerful on many levels. The story is set in the charming mountain town of Estes Park, gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. She is at the peak of her “climbing career” and on the verge of making her dream of running her own restaurant come true when a tragic mistake turns her world upside down. She managed to electrocute herself and burn her hands severely while working on a project for her restaurant. She feels first shock, then horror, then anger and rage at losing the life she loved. The reader spends over a month in the hospital while Melissa undergoes numerous skin grafts and surgeries. The loss of use of her hands means losing the joy she gets from rock climbing and undermines her chances of opening her restaurant. Many friends come to her aid, forming an emotional safety net. This reinforces a sense of gratitude for having survived an incident that could have been deadly. Her husband lets us see what it means to be a true partner in life. Melissa weans herself off of powerful, addictive pain killers, not wanting to go down a path that left her brother out of control. Through it all, Melissa persists. She has only one gear forward. I would not have made the same decision she did to return to the dangerous sport she chose, but it is her story!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Melissa is a friend of mine and I knew about the accident when it happened and visited her and followed along with her return to climbing, so you could guess I’d be biased, but I’m also a creative writing major and I take writing very seriously. I thought she did an excellent job with this book.

Climbing Through not only gives you an understanding of Melissa as a person, but throughout the tale of her tragic accident and recovery, she shares mental strengthening and emotional management techniques that she used that may be helpful to others as well. It seems clear that her mindset contributed greatly to her recovery, and this is the type of determination I’ve always known her to have on clear display through some of the most difficult circumstances anyone, especially a climber, can imagine.

Coincidentally, my Grandma read the book at the same time as I did and she was also enthralled, even though she herself is not a climber.

5 stars, even without the trout.

Bravo, Melissa!

[Sarah Lavender Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir by an Estes Park woman shares her experience as an accomplished sponsored climber who in 2017 suffered a horrific freak electrocution accident that burned and disfigured her hands. The detailed account of her reconstructive surgeries, followed by her struggle to open a restaurant that she invested in pre-accident and her determination to return to climbing, captivated me like a reality show. As a non-climber, I also appreciated the window into how people learn to climb and become so passionate about it. To say I’m impressed by her is a great understatement.

[Jason Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa's memoir is great. I couldn't put this book down. Her writing is engaging and her story is heatbreaking. I'm grateful that she wrote about her love of climbing and her journey through her medical procedures. Reading about her overcoming her fears and physical recovery is inspirational and provided me with valuable perspective about what matters in life. I may never get to meet her, but I am better for having read her story.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have climbed with Melissa and her partner Adam a few times in Hueco Tanks (where they own/operate one of the prominent guiding services) over the years. Was interesting to read her story and how she dealt with a life changing accident.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

I couldn’t put this book down! It drew me in, I cried in parts and was amazed at her strength in other parts! I feel more thankful for my hands after reading Melissa’s story

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remarkable story of perseverance and determination following a terrible accident. At times a bit graphic in describing her condition, but gives you a good understanding of how serious it was. Well written and engaging.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of resilience! So impressed-the raw honesty. So inspiring! Hope to meet her one day!