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Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life
A legendary trailblazer, Arlene Blum defied the climbing establishment of the 1970s by leading the first all-female teams on successful ascents of Mount McKinley and Annapurna and by being the first American woman to attempt Mount Everest. At the same time, her groundbreaking scientific work challenged gender stereotypes in the academic community and led to important legislation banning carcinogens in children’s sleepwear. With candor and humor, Breaking Trail recounts Blum’s journey from an overprotected childhood in Chicago to the tops of some of the highest peaks on earth, and to a life lived on her own terms. Now with an index, additional photos, and a new afterword, this book is a moving testament to the power of taking risks and pursuing dreams.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
73 people are currently reading
2736 people want to read
About the author
Arlene Blum
12 books45 followersFrom Wiki:
Arlene Blum (born March 1, 1945) is an American mountaineer, writer, and environmental health scientist. She is best known for leading an all-woman ascent of Annapurna (I), a climb that was also the first successful American ascent. She was also a deputy leader of the first all-woman ascent of Mount McKinley and the first American woman to attempt to ascend Mount Everest.
Arlene Blum (born March 1, 1945) is an American mountaineer, writer, and environmental health scientist. She is best known for leading an all-woman ascent of Annapurna (I), a climb that was also the first successful American ascent. She was also a deputy leader of the first all-woman ascent of Mount McKinley and the first American woman to attempt to ascend Mount Everest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
July 29, 2011
Wow. I bought this book from Arlene when I attended a presentation that she was giving at the University of Virginia. During her presentation, Arlene describes many of her mountaineering / climbing adventures and how they have shaped her life.
Reading this book was a complete (pleasant) surprise. Her memoir is poignant, personal and nothing short of remarkable. As she interweaves her reflections of her childhood with the major milestones in her life, it's hard not to be drawn in with empathy that many of the things that she has struggled with throughout her life are deep and very real.
On the other hand, meeting her in person, you can't help but get a sense that she isn't like the rest. Here is one outwardly strong, passionate individual who refuses to let barriers (physical or perceived) interfere with what she knows to be right or good. It is amazing and refreshing to see, hear and read of the power of will and perseverance.
Reading this book was a complete (pleasant) surprise. Her memoir is poignant, personal and nothing short of remarkable. As she interweaves her reflections of her childhood with the major milestones in her life, it's hard not to be drawn in with empathy that many of the things that she has struggled with throughout her life are deep and very real.
On the other hand, meeting her in person, you can't help but get a sense that she isn't like the rest. Here is one outwardly strong, passionate individual who refuses to let barriers (physical or perceived) interfere with what she knows to be right or good. It is amazing and refreshing to see, hear and read of the power of will and perseverance.
May 20, 2015
Arlene Blum is in my timeline. She makes painfully obvious the privilege that I had as a white male. This autobiography spans time and space to show what a person can rise above. Her family was negative, culturally isolated and selfish. Arlene found a passion and succeeded in both a high level academic scientific arena and in the more esoteric climbing community.
Not sure about he folded molecular structure in chemistry, but her climbing exploits speak for themselves. What the book provides is a look at the elitist climbing zeitgeist that existed at that and this time. Time and time again, Arlene's sex was an excuse to short change her in the climbing lizard hierarchy, which was not obvious to any male on her many teams until years later.
She didn't seem to want to go back to academia after her many mountain adventures. Probably don't blame her. Looks like she had made a living as a result of her early sacrifices and who can cast the first stone on that success?
Not sure about he folded molecular structure in chemistry, but her climbing exploits speak for themselves. What the book provides is a look at the elitist climbing zeitgeist that existed at that and this time. Time and time again, Arlene's sex was an excuse to short change her in the climbing lizard hierarchy, which was not obvious to any male on her many teams until years later.
She didn't seem to want to go back to academia after her many mountain adventures. Probably don't blame her. Looks like she had made a living as a result of her early sacrifices and who can cast the first stone on that success?
December 27, 2021
Inspiring and fascinating. A lot of these types of books are look how great I am, but I never got that. Fun to read.
November 10, 2010
I lost count long ago as to how many climbing books I've read,
I started climbing at age 17 and started reading the books the same year.
Reading about climbs is almost as much fun as climbing.
Arlene Blum tells quite a story here,
too bad she isn't honest about some of the details.
She didn't defy anyone by climbing McKinley, the mountain has always been open to all.
Two friends of mine, Stuart Ferguson and Steve Sickles climbed McKinley
at exactly the same time as the Blum party.
She doesn't mention the strident effort she made to keep anyone from socializing with members of her party in the evening hours.
She also doesn't mention that when one of her party became deathly ill,
she asked for my friends and other men to help rescue them.
Instead she maintains that they "were able to meet the difficulties on their own."
On her Annapurna trip two women died heading for the summit,
no men around that day to rescue them.
There's more than a little fantasy in this book,
still fun to read tho.
I started climbing at age 17 and started reading the books the same year.
Reading about climbs is almost as much fun as climbing.
Arlene Blum tells quite a story here,
too bad she isn't honest about some of the details.
She didn't defy anyone by climbing McKinley, the mountain has always been open to all.
Two friends of mine, Stuart Ferguson and Steve Sickles climbed McKinley
at exactly the same time as the Blum party.
She doesn't mention the strident effort she made to keep anyone from socializing with members of her party in the evening hours.
She also doesn't mention that when one of her party became deathly ill,
she asked for my friends and other men to help rescue them.
Instead she maintains that they "were able to meet the difficulties on their own."
On her Annapurna trip two women died heading for the summit,
no men around that day to rescue them.
There's more than a little fantasy in this book,
still fun to read tho.
January 30, 2025
after watching so many friends die on the mountains i’d probably have gotten a different hobby but this book was a wild ride and such an interesting look at the beginning of women getting into the outdoor/mountaineering/climbing space
October 15, 2017
I have read countless non-fictional accounts of mountaineering and high altitude feats by a variety of climbers, and more often than not, the authors and their stories are incredible. This book by Arlene Blum takes it to another level, as she chronicles a life filled with adventures that very few can match while also being extraordinarily open about her own vulnerabilities and failings.
Aside from being a world class elite climber and leader of expeditions, Blum also has a doctorate in biophysical chemistry. Her work helped to identify and prevent the use of toxic chemicals in fire retardant children's pajamas. She organized and/ or led the first all-woman ascents of Annapurna and Denali. She hiked two thousand miles on what she called the Great Himalayan Traverse. She was a member of the American Bicentennial Everest Expedition. She has taught at Berkeley and Stanford. She crossed the Alps with her baby daughter in a knapsack.
Blum is clearly a very accomplished and multi-faceted individual. The book, however, is not filled with braggadocio. Instead, I appreciated the self-reflection and candor which is displayed throughout. She faced many barriers - both as a mountain climber and as a woman in the field of biophysics - and she just kept persevering. She doubted herself often but never let that get in her way. It is impossible not to admire her intelligence and her tenacity and grit. She was honest and remorseful about the things she has been unable to attain. She lost many good friends and loved ones to the mountains and her grief is palpable. She opens each chapter with a vignette about her childhood, which serves the reader well in understanding this exceptional woman as well as the times she lived in.
I recommend this book if you like adventure stories, but also for those who are seeking examinations of grit and leadership.
Aside from being a world class elite climber and leader of expeditions, Blum also has a doctorate in biophysical chemistry. Her work helped to identify and prevent the use of toxic chemicals in fire retardant children's pajamas. She organized and/ or led the first all-woman ascents of Annapurna and Denali. She hiked two thousand miles on what she called the Great Himalayan Traverse. She was a member of the American Bicentennial Everest Expedition. She has taught at Berkeley and Stanford. She crossed the Alps with her baby daughter in a knapsack.
Blum is clearly a very accomplished and multi-faceted individual. The book, however, is not filled with braggadocio. Instead, I appreciated the self-reflection and candor which is displayed throughout. She faced many barriers - both as a mountain climber and as a woman in the field of biophysics - and she just kept persevering. She doubted herself often but never let that get in her way. It is impossible not to admire her intelligence and her tenacity and grit. She was honest and remorseful about the things she has been unable to attain. She lost many good friends and loved ones to the mountains and her grief is palpable. She opens each chapter with a vignette about her childhood, which serves the reader well in understanding this exceptional woman as well as the times she lived in.
I recommend this book if you like adventure stories, but also for those who are seeking examinations of grit and leadership.
June 1, 2017
As a climber, trekker, outdoorswoman, and feminist this book appealed to me as both an adventure story and a memior of a woman's struggle. Blum was real--flawed, introspective, driven, and brave. As a benefactor of Blum's work for women, I felt great respect, empathy, and pride for her. She overcame the hurdles, sometimes as a graceful representative for women, other times merely by her own grit.
Her stories reminded me of other stereotype-shattering women that I have in my own life, and others I've read about (namely, Lynn Hill). This was an inspiring read and one that I recommend to all female adventurers. We have come so far, and the trail was blazed by women like Blum. May we all strive to be as confident, persistent, and accomplished as she.
Her stories reminded me of other stereotype-shattering women that I have in my own life, and others I've read about (namely, Lynn Hill). This was an inspiring read and one that I recommend to all female adventurers. We have come so far, and the trail was blazed by women like Blum. May we all strive to be as confident, persistent, and accomplished as she.
September 5, 2023
As a scientist, I looked for some rational explanation of his behavior. Why did Galen and his colleagues judge women so harshly and by such a different standard from that by which men were evaluated? No American men had yet climbed Annapurna. Did our accomplishment belittle their own climbs in some way? Or was it personal? Was there something about me they objected to? My lunch with Galen had provoked more questions than it had answered.Arlene Blum
Looking back on it, I fail to understand it. Even Gerry got sick and it was accepted as normal... The conclusion can only be that a woman had to be stronger, better, and more experienced, just to be accepted as equal.
Rick Ridgeway, writing about Arlene Blum
Let's talk about Arlene Blum and the climbing and academic worlds of the 1970's. It feels alien to a modern reader in so many ways: the seeming ease with which Arlene slid from academia to year-long forays into traveling, just to come back to postdocs and professorial appointments waiting for her seems like a fairy tale. The idea that, even the best and brightest, could disappear at the end of their PhD and go hiking for over a year to come back to a flourishing career is impossible today. And her casually relinquishing a tenured professorship at Berkeley at the age of 35 - essentially to retire into leisure - makes my blood boil. Is academia so much more saturated now than it was in the 70's that it can account for the differences?
The level of brazen sexism is however something that has improved for the better. That being said, I was thoroughly disturbed reading some of the segments that Arlene describes about her experience being outside of the "pack" whilst climbing, as shown in some of the quotes above. Disturbed because of how similar they feel to my own experiences in academia, which for the most part I've attributed to my own personality not geling with my (largely male) colleagues. But what if it's not that? What if some of the attitudes Blum encountered then in climbing, persevere to this day in physics?
Let's talk more about the book.
Blum is very unapologetic in her narration of this memoir. She shares her romantic obsession with various horrible, chauvinistic men without explanation. She attributes willpower to fast-healing bones (very The Secret of her). She readily admits to jumping from one partner to another, and in some cases being the other woman in not one but two relationships simultaneously. This does make the memoir very juicy but also made her unlikable.
But my bigger qualm is that there is so much self congratulation at the conclusion of each segment. It's a little off-putting even if well earned in the case of her mountaineering courage.
But so what if I don't like her, many people didn't. What about her story?
Her story is pretty cool. She went from an emotionally abusive, very narrow childhood to breaking trail all over the world. You get such a sense of how much freedom she felt during each trip. The ascents to the larger peaks, complete with maps, were my favourite part of the memoir. Her expertise in planning the trip and encountering the ascent obstacles makes for some exciting reading. A lot of her travelogues I enjoyed less, especially those in South Asia. They feel a bit Madonna- white woman realising that there is poverty in the world for the first time - but again that may be due to the time period if nothing else.
The writing itself is functional but the book is well organized. Each chapter opens with some memory from childhood and I found myself sympathising with her attachment issues more as these went on.
All in all this is a very interesting read, especially for someone my age or younger. To see how life was 50-60 years ago for women. How much was the same and how much has changed. And how much work we still have to do.
3.5 stars rounded up.
April 30, 2017
"...and I huddled together in the lee of a huge rock, the wind whipping the surface snow around us. As the first golden light of morning traveled from the top of Mt. Jefferson to the other Cascade summits and finally to us, I fell in love for the first time. I was in love ...with Mt. Hood, with mountains, with life, with love itself. A fierce gust of wind hit us. “Let’s strap on our crampons and rope up,” John said, giving me a brief hug. “It’s time for the top.” As I stood, a blast of ice crystals stung my face. Heading upward, I leaned into the gale, resolved to make it to the summit no matter what. Conscious of the rope around my waist connecting me to John, I followed him step by step up steep slopes festooned with delicate foot-long ice feathers. I was gasping for breath and my legs felt leaden, but I could see the summit getting closer. I took two breaths, lifted my foot, placed it in the step John had made in the ice slope, and relaxed. I took two more breaths, picked up the other foot, placed it in the next step, and relaxed."
August 6, 2017
Arlene mixes the stories from her childhood very well with stories from her adult mountaineering life. While there is little technical climbing described, the emphasis is on the endurance of mountaineering at high altitudes. The writing is smooth and humorous while insightful and curious. The balance between her love of mountains and love of science keeps the reader interested and learning. Personally, I felt her identity as a single woman making these accomplishments was a bit of a stretch as she almost always has a supportive boyfriend, whether on the trail beside her or at home, but her drive to seek out strong women in her life and break records with them is still ambitious and worthwhile. The challenges she faced were relatable, and her mental struggles with why things happen a certain way were very realistic. I also really appreciated how she loved being in the mountains more than "bagging a peak," and this mentality is probably a significant reason in why she didn't die like many others taking those risks. Overall great writing and flow.
April 17, 2024
I’ve come to realize that I love memoirs because they allow me to see the world from someone else’s eyes. Arlene and I are very different and I cringed slightly as I started reading this, thinking I might have emotionally or physically responded differently than her in many situations. Slowly I feel like I was able to place myself in her shoes and actually share in some of the fears she describes experiencing as a young adult.
This book simultaneously had me planning my first mountain-climbing adventure while also opening my eyes to the extreme danger of the sport. Arlene’s grit and selfless ability to work in a team, often allowing others to have the final reward, is inspiring. There’s no doubt she had to overcome significant adversity and was a trail-blazer for females in academia and mountaineering.
This book simultaneously had me planning my first mountain-climbing adventure while also opening my eyes to the extreme danger of the sport. Arlene’s grit and selfless ability to work in a team, often allowing others to have the final reward, is inspiring. There’s no doubt she had to overcome significant adversity and was a trail-blazer for females in academia and mountaineering.
July 11, 2023
The high school girlfriends and I have a sisterhood of the traveling book thing going on- this was book #2 I got sent. try and guess who sent it ;) haha
This book follows Arlene (who was born in Davenport!) as she breaks glass ceilings in both academia and the climbing world. Not only did she work to develop fire retardant clothing for children and become one of the first females to climb mountains overseas, but she did so with a feminist spirit. This story takes place from the ‘70s to the ‘90s, and the stories Arlene shares of trying to level the playing field are eerily similar to gender issues we face today.
Arlene weaves in stories from her childhood as well, that contribute to her tenacity, work ethic and kindness towards others.
This book follows Arlene (who was born in Davenport!) as she breaks glass ceilings in both academia and the climbing world. Not only did she work to develop fire retardant clothing for children and become one of the first females to climb mountains overseas, but she did so with a feminist spirit. This story takes place from the ‘70s to the ‘90s, and the stories Arlene shares of trying to level the playing field are eerily similar to gender issues we face today.
Arlene weaves in stories from her childhood as well, that contribute to her tenacity, work ethic and kindness towards others.
July 2, 2021
One thing is certain after reading this book, I will never climb a mountain. Not that I’ve been particularly motivated to, but this vivid and realistic account really brings home the misery. That aside, I was riveted by Blum’s entire life story, what motivates her in school and climbing, and how she kept going following several mountain tragedies. If anything, I wish she’d shared more on how she did keep going following some of the trauma. I do love outdoor, adventure tales of things I will never do and this one did not disappoint.
January 22, 2022
One of the more intimate and engaging memoirs I have read. Arlene interweaves her childhood and adult life together which help underline her bold achievements and challenges of both climbing and personal relationships. She has paved the way for many women in the outdoor industry. Truly an understated woman - more people should know about her!
December 18, 2019
Excellently written. A very entertaining book about her life, some great adventures, her relationships, and the many sexist situations she navigated as a climber and a scientist.
February 11, 2023
This was a surprising page-turner. Arlene is the definition of an intrepid traveler. I’ve actually met her because we’re in the same field, but I never could have imagined the life she’s led.
September 2, 2023
I aspire to be like Arlene
June 21, 2022
Das war in vieler Hinsicht interessant, und die Kombination mit der Familiengeschichte der Autorin funktioniert auch sehr gut. Immer schön, wenn Leute, die von Bergen erzählen, sich noch über andere Themen Gedanken gemacht haben.
January 17, 2021
I got into serious hiking in Washington in 2020 during the pandemic. When I sometimes felt confined in my own home due to bad hiking weather, I read mountaineering books to let my mind still venture outside. Realizing that I had only read books by male mountaineers, I decided to pick up this autobiography of an accomplished female mountaineer.
In Arlene’s era, female mountaineers were not common and usually met by harsh critics and judgments that male mountaineers never were. Plus, due to the unfriendly environment, they often put undue pressure to prove themselves, which was disheartening. Reading this makes me very grateful for all the female pioneers that have broken the trails for us. In addition, Arlene’s recounts of her childhood upbringing reminded me that anyone can have childhood trauma but we all can take time to heal and make peace with the past.
Overall, it is a touching story weaved with vulnerability, grit, resilience, and positivity.
In Arlene’s era, female mountaineers were not common and usually met by harsh critics and judgments that male mountaineers never were. Plus, due to the unfriendly environment, they often put undue pressure to prove themselves, which was disheartening. Reading this makes me very grateful for all the female pioneers that have broken the trails for us. In addition, Arlene’s recounts of her childhood upbringing reminded me that anyone can have childhood trauma but we all can take time to heal and make peace with the past.
Overall, it is a touching story weaved with vulnerability, grit, resilience, and positivity.
July 9, 2012
I loved this book -- she's cool, she climbs, she's a cancer-fighting chemist from Chicago. And she went to Reed. And it's really fun to read.
Also she had a pretty terrible soap opera-watching non-stop cigarette smoking family who wouldn't let her cross the street, and with no encouragement and no particularly great physical ability she climbed all those incredible mountains and came down alive. And got cancer causing chemicals removed from children's pajamas. And is in no way self-aggrandizing, quite the opposite. She's now fighting to get cancerous chemicals removed from the foam in the chair or couch in which you sit. Go Arlene!
Also she had a pretty terrible soap opera-watching non-stop cigarette smoking family who wouldn't let her cross the street, and with no encouragement and no particularly great physical ability she climbed all those incredible mountains and came down alive. And got cancer causing chemicals removed from children's pajamas. And is in no way self-aggrandizing, quite the opposite. She's now fighting to get cancerous chemicals removed from the foam in the chair or couch in which you sit. Go Arlene!
July 9, 2024
I enjoyed reading Arlene Blum's story, she is indeed a remarkable trailblazer in both her mountaineering life and her work in banning carcinogenic chemicals in children's sleepwear. Arlene was at the forefront of challenging gender stereotypes in the 1970's in the USA and through her perseverence and her strong belief that women can do anything that men can do, was able to lead successful attempts by all women teams on Annapurna and Mt McKinley. What a great life of trekking she has enjoyed.
October 31, 2023
From Molecules to Mountains – A Trailblazing Journey of Self-Discovery and Resilience
It’s the gripping memoir of Dr. Arlene Blum, where every chapter is like a page-turning adventure. She’s the kind of pioneer who blazed trails for future generations, and her journey embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery. This woman is an absolute force of nature.
A Rocky Start
Arlene grew up in an orthodox and dysfunctional Jewish family in Chicago. She had a pretty restricted upbringing. A casual comment from her Aunt Shirley “That child will amount to no good” – made a lasting impression for the rest of her life.
From Lab to Mountain: A Chemistry Romance
It all began in a chemistry lab, where Dr. Blum’s professor, Jane Shells, sparked her passion for science. Little did she know that her love for chemistry would eventually collide with her fascination for mountains. One fateful day, a charming lab partner asked her to climb Mount Hood. With a twinkle in her eye, she said yes, unknowingly embarking on a journey of a lifetime. Thus, her dual love affair with molecules and mountains began.
Breaking Stereotypes & Conquering Gender Barriers
A big chunk of Arlene’s story revolves around her battles with gender-based challenges in the world of mountaineering. In an era, where women were seen as the “dutiful seconds” on expeditions, relegated to chores, considered emotionally fragile, and viewed as a “liability” in mountaineering. Their role was typically limited to base camp duties like cooking and cleaning. And no women-led expedition was ever given a grant.
She faced old-fashioned sexism head-on. She was denied entry into the Harvard Mountaineering Club and overlooked for expeditions. Even though she has proven her mettle in climbing hard peaks, her grant for her own expedition was rejected when she signed up as the leader. Her boyfriend at the time, who was tagging along in Arlene’s expedition, made the change to move her position from a leader to someone doing the chores. Arlene suffered rejection both from individuals and the climbing establishment.
She led an all-female expedition to Denali, the highest peak in North America. Thereby, shattering the stereotypes, reaching Denali’s summit, and making history. Arlene’s journey was a battle against not just mountains but also societal norms and the climbing establishment.
Embracing Vulnerability
While Arlene was undoubtedly a fearless mountaineer, her autobiography reveals moments of self-doubt and vulnerability. Her candidness humanizes her and makes her journey even more relatable. Her willingness to embrace vulnerability teaches us that strength comes from acknowledging our fears and insecurities. True bravery lies in confronting our vulnerabilities head-on.
Career in Science
Arlene Blum wasn’t just a mountaineer; she was also a brilliant scientist. Her work in biophysical chemistry led to the banning of carcinogens in children’s sleepwear. Talk about a superhero in a lab coat!
Everest and Advocacy: The Dual Adventure
When an invitation to climb Mount Everest arrived, Arlene faced a monumental choice: should she follow her climbing dream or continue her environmental advocacy work?
Remarkably, she chose both. Perched on the slopes of Everest, she meticulously documented data about flame retardants while battling extreme altitude. Her determination and dedication to both climbing and science are awe-inspiring.
Annapurna: Triumph and Tragedy
Her climbing journey took her to Annapurna, one of the world’s highest peaks. While they achieved a historic ascent, the expedition was marred by tragedy when two members lost their lives. This expedition epitomized the risk and reward inherent in high-altitude climbing. It’s a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of high-altitude mountaineering.
As I reached the final pages of “Breaking Trail,” I couldn’t help but reflect on the incredible journey Arlene Blum undertook—both in the mountains and within herself. Her autobiography is a testament to the limitless possibilities that open up when we dare to challenge the status quo and embrace our true passions.
From conquering mountains to battling for chemical safety, she has made a profound impact on our world. Her intelligence, determination, and sheer willpower are nothing short of inspiring.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab a copy of “Breaking Trail” and embark on your own adventure through Arlene’s incredible life.
https://ideaweb.me/blog/arlene-blum-b...
It’s the gripping memoir of Dr. Arlene Blum, where every chapter is like a page-turning adventure. She’s the kind of pioneer who blazed trails for future generations, and her journey embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery. This woman is an absolute force of nature.
A Rocky Start
Arlene grew up in an orthodox and dysfunctional Jewish family in Chicago. She had a pretty restricted upbringing. A casual comment from her Aunt Shirley “That child will amount to no good” – made a lasting impression for the rest of her life.
From Lab to Mountain: A Chemistry Romance
It all began in a chemistry lab, where Dr. Blum’s professor, Jane Shells, sparked her passion for science. Little did she know that her love for chemistry would eventually collide with her fascination for mountains. One fateful day, a charming lab partner asked her to climb Mount Hood. With a twinkle in her eye, she said yes, unknowingly embarking on a journey of a lifetime. Thus, her dual love affair with molecules and mountains began.
Breaking Stereotypes & Conquering Gender Barriers
A big chunk of Arlene’s story revolves around her battles with gender-based challenges in the world of mountaineering. In an era, where women were seen as the “dutiful seconds” on expeditions, relegated to chores, considered emotionally fragile, and viewed as a “liability” in mountaineering. Their role was typically limited to base camp duties like cooking and cleaning. And no women-led expedition was ever given a grant.
She faced old-fashioned sexism head-on. She was denied entry into the Harvard Mountaineering Club and overlooked for expeditions. Even though she has proven her mettle in climbing hard peaks, her grant for her own expedition was rejected when she signed up as the leader. Her boyfriend at the time, who was tagging along in Arlene’s expedition, made the change to move her position from a leader to someone doing the chores. Arlene suffered rejection both from individuals and the climbing establishment.
She led an all-female expedition to Denali, the highest peak in North America. Thereby, shattering the stereotypes, reaching Denali’s summit, and making history. Arlene’s journey was a battle against not just mountains but also societal norms and the climbing establishment.
Embracing Vulnerability
While Arlene was undoubtedly a fearless mountaineer, her autobiography reveals moments of self-doubt and vulnerability. Her candidness humanizes her and makes her journey even more relatable. Her willingness to embrace vulnerability teaches us that strength comes from acknowledging our fears and insecurities. True bravery lies in confronting our vulnerabilities head-on.
Career in Science
Arlene Blum wasn’t just a mountaineer; she was also a brilliant scientist. Her work in biophysical chemistry led to the banning of carcinogens in children’s sleepwear. Talk about a superhero in a lab coat!
Everest and Advocacy: The Dual Adventure
When an invitation to climb Mount Everest arrived, Arlene faced a monumental choice: should she follow her climbing dream or continue her environmental advocacy work?
Remarkably, she chose both. Perched on the slopes of Everest, she meticulously documented data about flame retardants while battling extreme altitude. Her determination and dedication to both climbing and science are awe-inspiring.
Annapurna: Triumph and Tragedy
Her climbing journey took her to Annapurna, one of the world’s highest peaks. While they achieved a historic ascent, the expedition was marred by tragedy when two members lost their lives. This expedition epitomized the risk and reward inherent in high-altitude climbing. It’s a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of high-altitude mountaineering.
As I reached the final pages of “Breaking Trail,” I couldn’t help but reflect on the incredible journey Arlene Blum undertook—both in the mountains and within herself. Her autobiography is a testament to the limitless possibilities that open up when we dare to challenge the status quo and embrace our true passions.
From conquering mountains to battling for chemical safety, she has made a profound impact on our world. Her intelligence, determination, and sheer willpower are nothing short of inspiring.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab a copy of “Breaking Trail” and embark on your own adventure through Arlene’s incredible life.
https://ideaweb.me/blog/arlene-blum-b...
May 15, 2023
This book was entertaining and it was interesting (and frustrating) to read about the challenges that Arlene faced as a woman getting into the climbing/mountaineering field in the 1970s and 1980s. Women were not accepted as mountaineers at the time and were usually only on expeditions to accompany their husbands. When Arlene tried to join Denali expeditions she was told women could not climb at high altitudes and she could only accompany the expeditions to help cook and clean at camp. So instead she organized and lead her own Denali expedition.
However, it frustrated me that Arlene did not make good decisions when picking expedition members. She frequently put out advertisements for team members and accepted whoever wrote back. These were people that she sometimes did not even know and had never climbed with before. Then they went off on months-long expeditions and treks, often fraught with team turmoil and drama. I thought this method of choosing members was irresponsible.
Arlene's leadership skills were also lacking as both an expedition leader and as co-leader she did not do a good job at making decisions and enforcing those decisions with her team members. She also did not stand up for herself when she was on expeditions with men and often assumed the cooking/cleaning role. It was frustrating to read her accounts of allowing one team member to continue to climb on Denali when it nearly cost that member her life and put the expedition team members and other male expedition members that went back up to help them at risk. I thought she should have chosen her Himalayan expeditions more wisely and should have been more forceful when trying to convince the second summit team from attempting Anapurna.
I liked reading about Arelen's science and chemistry work. Her work in the male-dominated 1980s chemistry field was much more impressive to me than her climbing and leadership skills. It is a shame that she gave up the groundbreaking work she was completing to become a guide.
However, it frustrated me that Arlene did not make good decisions when picking expedition members. She frequently put out advertisements for team members and accepted whoever wrote back. These were people that she sometimes did not even know and had never climbed with before. Then they went off on months-long expeditions and treks, often fraught with team turmoil and drama. I thought this method of choosing members was irresponsible.
Arlene's leadership skills were also lacking as both an expedition leader and as co-leader she did not do a good job at making decisions and enforcing those decisions with her team members. She also did not stand up for herself when she was on expeditions with men and often assumed the cooking/cleaning role. It was frustrating to read her accounts of allowing one team member to continue to climb on Denali when it nearly cost that member her life and put the expedition team members and other male expedition members that went back up to help them at risk. I thought she should have chosen her Himalayan expeditions more wisely and should have been more forceful when trying to convince the second summit team from attempting Anapurna.
I liked reading about Arelen's science and chemistry work. Her work in the male-dominated 1980s chemistry field was much more impressive to me than her climbing and leadership skills. It is a shame that she gave up the groundbreaking work she was completing to become a guide.
April 20, 2025
I think this is the first autobiography I've ever read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
But it's safe to say that, though ten year old me wanted to be a mountaineer, I know know I am definetely not going to be one.
I really liked how she weaves in her early years with her adult years, it really helps to understand her well because unlike could be a possibility if she told it all chronologically, we are served the relevant information from her childhood right when they become relevant, so there is no chance we could forget before they become relevant.
In my opinion, this is not something that you can read in one go because whenever someone died, yet she continued to climb mere weeks after, I was frustrated. Even though I came to understand why she was climbing, it was still exhausting sometimes to still kind of emotionally recover from the last death and then feeling like the next one could be just around the corner.
Something that bothered be a little is how she accepted people who hurt her not properly apologizing. Them being like "I never said that" not not healing, it's gaslighting. The same goes for all her problematic romantic relationships. Most of them were dicks. I'm glad it ended how it ended.
The insight into women's situation starting in the seventies was very valuable, especially considering it looks like feminism has to start all over again soon...
I also enjoyed the writing style. It was easy to read and understand even for non-natives like me.
I'd recommend this to basically everyone
But it's safe to say that, though ten year old me wanted to be a mountaineer, I know know I am definetely not going to be one.
I really liked how she weaves in her early years with her adult years, it really helps to understand her well because unlike could be a possibility if she told it all chronologically, we are served the relevant information from her childhood right when they become relevant, so there is no chance we could forget before they become relevant.
In my opinion, this is not something that you can read in one go because whenever someone died, yet she continued to climb mere weeks after, I was frustrated. Even though I came to understand why she was climbing, it was still exhausting sometimes to still kind of emotionally recover from the last death and then feeling like the next one could be just around the corner.
Something that bothered be a little is how she accepted people who hurt her not properly apologizing. Them being like "I never said that" not not healing, it's gaslighting. The same goes for all her problematic romantic relationships. Most of them were dicks. I'm glad it ended how it ended.
The insight into women's situation starting in the seventies was very valuable, especially considering it looks like feminism has to start all over again soon...
I also enjoyed the writing style. It was easy to read and understand even for non-natives like me.
I'd recommend this to basically everyone
August 29, 2020
4.25 stars. Arlene Blum is a badass. One of those revolutionary women who paved the way for a future generation (and has Miles From Nowhere vibes). You can tell she’s smart from the beginning but she also just seems to have a life filled with adventurous accidents. I find it funny how she casually takes a month to swim in the Great Barrier Reef, 6 months to climb Everest, and a year to walk across the Himalayas. And don’t get me started on the scientific research she is taking a break from when she goes exploring. She’s one of the people who began publishing of the dangers of flame retardants in children’s pajamas, everyone’s heard about that!!! I honestly couldn’t believe the pain she felt about her childhood and then continuously over and over when her fellow climbers died attempting to summit mountains, sometimes for the first time in human history. Her choices regarding men were sometimes questionable and she definitely had a strong personality, but her adventures, not her writing, were what carried me through this book. A great read!
December 26, 2021
Arlene Blum is a total badass. I really enjoyed reading about how she hit all these walls and just plowed through them. Mountaineering is brutal as hell - climbers be dying on the mountains left and right. It takes a special kind of person to tackle these mountains over and over again. To lose loved ones and still return to these blue and white alien spaces on top of the world. I love the idea of Endless Winter and the Great Himalayan Traverse (Trek?), Blum like pioneered women’s adventure trips in the most awesome way.
Finally, I think the thing that really appeals to me about memoirs from adventurous women, is how willing to emotionally dive deep they are. Blum’s self analysis and vulnerability concerning her family and her relationships with men is refreshing and insightful. I get the sense that the author learned things writing this book just as readers learn about the Himalayas and what women faced trying to claim their space on summits.
Finally, I think the thing that really appeals to me about memoirs from adventurous women, is how willing to emotionally dive deep they are. Blum’s self analysis and vulnerability concerning her family and her relationships with men is refreshing and insightful. I get the sense that the author learned things writing this book just as readers learn about the Himalayas and what women faced trying to claim their space on summits.
May 24, 2025
Powerfully told story of an amazing life. I’ve always wondered why people fly halfway across the world to leave their marks (and spent fuel cartridges) on murderous mountains, and continue to do so while their dearest friends die making similar attempts. This book certainly generates empathy, understanding, and appreciation for the range of characters.
Grateful for the author’s work in environmental health, raising awareness of proliferating chemical toxic exposures visited upon people who deserve better.
Having been to the Himalayan Fair in Berkeley a couple of times and wondering why it crossed so many cultures, upon reading this book it made sense. I felt quite proud of her, even when her history or sociology seemed a bit shallow.
The plight of her mother’s generation, during which so many smart nonconformist people were subjected to treatments like electroshock, is moving.
I’m giving this book to my daughter.
Grateful for the author’s work in environmental health, raising awareness of proliferating chemical toxic exposures visited upon people who deserve better.
Having been to the Himalayan Fair in Berkeley a couple of times and wondering why it crossed so many cultures, upon reading this book it made sense. I felt quite proud of her, even when her history or sociology seemed a bit shallow.
The plight of her mother’s generation, during which so many smart nonconformist people were subjected to treatments like electroshock, is moving.
I’m giving this book to my daughter.
September 26, 2023
Wow, this is hands down the best memoir/ book I have read all year. I will admit I had never even heard of Arlene Blum before reading Breaking Trail, but now I need everyone to know about her. A bad-ass mountaineer and scientist, it was so fascinating to read about her expeditions in the 70s & 80s. She not only was part of the first women only summit of Denali and Annapurna, but her research on protein folding helped propel other experiments on curing heart disease, cancer, and AIDS. And through all of that she talks about the sexism of the outdoor community, her relationships on the mountain, and becoming a mother. An inspiration read, she is so freakin cool. Do I want to now climb high altitude mountains? Hell no, but I do want to become a little bit more like Arlene: passionate about things bigger than herself.
April 20, 2019
The book details her expeditions into the biggest mountains in the world, the flak she took from men who at the time thought women couldn't handle being in the mountains, and her journey to absolve her past into future loves that spanned the globe.
Although her accomplishments both as a ground-breaking climber in the mountains and as a microbiologist in the lab are undeniable the book is long-winded and perhaps lacks a sense of arch or direction. This may be a parallel to the path her life took, always struggling to fit the conventional mold or just because it is difficult to make the intricacies of an entire life fit neatly into an entertaining monologue.
Either way, every thrill-seeking adventurist curious about climbings past will enjoy this book.
Although her accomplishments both as a ground-breaking climber in the mountains and as a microbiologist in the lab are undeniable the book is long-winded and perhaps lacks a sense of arch or direction. This may be a parallel to the path her life took, always struggling to fit the conventional mold or just because it is difficult to make the intricacies of an entire life fit neatly into an entertaining monologue.
Either way, every thrill-seeking adventurist curious about climbings past will enjoy this book.
December 30, 2019
As a a female climber, myself, whose 9 to 5 is to put toxic chemical genies back in their respective bottles, I found Arlene Blum’s life account to be both inspiring & fascinating.
I am so thankful for all that she has done for the environment, the scientific community & contribution to women’s climbing history. Despite all the obstacles thrown her way, the author manages to crush the crux moves on both mountains & molecular research.
I also know that the author continues to work tirelessly on emerging contaminants, such as PFAS, that currently threaten our drinking water & public health. Thank you for a beautifully written piece and for all the good work that you continue to do, Dr. Blum. The scientific & climbing community is so lucky to have you!
I am so thankful for all that she has done for the environment, the scientific community & contribution to women’s climbing history. Despite all the obstacles thrown her way, the author manages to crush the crux moves on both mountains & molecular research.
I also know that the author continues to work tirelessly on emerging contaminants, such as PFAS, that currently threaten our drinking water & public health. Thank you for a beautifully written piece and for all the good work that you continue to do, Dr. Blum. The scientific & climbing community is so lucky to have you!
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