Valley of Giants: Stories from Women at the Heart of Yosemite Climbing

by Lauren DeLaunay Miller

2022 Banff Mountain Book Competition Climbing Literature Winner

"Long overdue anthology highlights women in Yosemite climbing history." – Climbing Magazine Though long overlooked, women have always been at the center of Yosemite--climbing, crafting equipment, and establishing new routes. In Valley of Giants , editor and climber Lauren DeLaunay Miller pulls together journal excerpts, original essays, interviews, archival materials, and memorable firsts that span the past century of climbing in the Valley.

This first-ever collection of both famed and untold stories from women at the heart of Yosemite climbing gathers almost 40 contributors, from Bea Vogel who forged her own pitons to Molly Higgins who participated in the first all-female ascent of the Nose on El Capitan to Liz Robbins who established routes in Yosemite Valley during the Golden Age. Astonishing Stonemasters like Lynn Hill, as well as many other notable climbers, including Steph Davis, Kate Rutherford, Beth Rodden, Chelsea Griffie, Libby Sauter, and more share their recollections of the exhilaration they felt up on the wall and the determination it took to get there. As Mari Gingery, one of the first women to climb the Shield on El Cap, writes in the foreword, "the stories feature a medley of intrepid female characters" who "offer fresh perspectives."

Organized into five distinct eras in Yosemite climbing history, this groundbreaking anthology captures a range of stories from heartbreaking losses to soaring joys, trip reports of significant ascents to moments that convey the larger essence of the Valley--and what it means to call this iconic place "home."

Genres: Climbing, Nonfiction, History, Adventure, Sports, Essays, Book Club

240 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2022

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Such great stories about some badass women! Now I need to get back to Yosemite!❤️

[Emily McKinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved hearing the stories directly from voices of the women who were there. I felt like it was missing a stronger through-line, but it was an enjoyable read.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never read or heard of anything like this kind of climbing (except for watching Free Solo with my dad like four years ago and looking at climbers on El Cap last summer with our binoculars as we drove out of the Valley), and so reading this kind of blew my mind. I feel like I don’t have words to describe this! So impressive and brave?! I’m also sure it was such a labor of love to collect so many stories. So special to get to read!

[Andi Whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could climb like these bad ass ladies

[Keegan Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well crafted and has many stories I am grateful to have learned about.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS BOOK! learned so much and was able to get a glimpse into the amazing women in this sport. I found myself feeling every emotion while reading this book. As a new woman rock climber I have fallen more in love with this sport because of this book. 10/10 recommend reading this book.

If you do not know anything about rock climbing or Yosemite, it may be a little hard. There is a map and a glossary with all of the rock climbing lingo that is helpful, but I still ended up looking some things up to be able to picture them. Overall an amazing book.

[John Kusmec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5/5

I love reading accounts about climbing adventures, so I already knew this was going to be enjoyable. This book was written to highlight the history of women climbing in Yosemite and Lauren DeLaunay Miller did it so well. Even though she did not write the stories, the work she put into gathering all of these in one place is super impressive.

The stories themselves were awesome and made me appreciate a lot more some of the struggles and the many accomplishments that women had in Yosemite. I’m really glad I picked this one up; it will probably be one that I come back to when I’m looking to fill my climbing fix.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the concept of this book being focused around Yosemite, rock climbing and women. The only thing that made it kind of hard to read was that there was no maps of the routing and the pictures were all in the middle. I wish there was a picture and or a map with each story that was told.

Overall a ton of badass women doing cool things!

[Taylor Staman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been searching for these stories for years and here they are! 👏 So encouraging and inspiring to read the tales of female climbers throughout modern climbing history.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some stories are less exciting than others, but it's always inspiring to read about women doing badass stuff!

[Ashley Nye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very technical recounts. Few short stories have much of a story line or plot. Good read for intermediate or seasoned climbers looking for inspiration

[Karen Yee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing to read so many stories from women’s perspective! Some stories were better than others but overall really enjoyed it.

[Cheyenne Stirling · Rating 5 out of 5]

We need more books like this! a film would be incredible. I loved all the stories, well done.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly magnificent. Honestly, it’s a damn shame more histories of Yosemite don’t include the women who helped make that place what it is. So much of what’s been told is only half the story. And this half is damn good.

[Ruthie Perlman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book highlighting women’s climbing stories - left me feeling inspired to go see Yosemite’s big walls for myself

[Pari Ghazi · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyed the premise, less the writing

[Kristi Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every story told in this book. So much history to learn, and so inspiring to read about the strength of so many pioneers for women in climbing. The last few chapters were eye opening, hit hard, and really brought the book full circle for an entire spectrum of emotions.

Thank you for creating this book with such care. Definitely recommend.

[Steve Malone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having started rock climbing in Yosemite in the 1960s this book was of particular interest to me. I recognized both people from then and climbing techniques and equipment. For the later chapters (1990s on) climbing equipment and abilities had advanced so far I recognized less and less. Never-the-less this book is a wonderful anthology of the history of Yosemite climbing. The fact that all chapters are written by and about women climbers makes it even more interesting. While there were few women climbers in the early years they have certainly caught up to the men in ability and technique in the last few decades. Much of what is contained is universal to climbing but the pride of women gaining recognition for their accomplishments come through very well. I would rate this book five stars other than the fact that some of the writing style in a few chapters I found less than inspiring. The unevenness of the writing is to be expected when the editor is trying to sample such a long and diverse history.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned about this book from my *new* AAC membership magazine. Got it for a friend, but wanted to read it first. Lots of very cool stories. Flagged some of my favorites afterwards, but it was tough because many of them sort of blended together. Still very neat to read through other perspectives, epics, achievements, friendships, and resiliency. Loved the early stories that had an old-timey feel, but still involved much badassery and stoke! Will likely get a couple more copies for other climber friends! (As with many climbing-centric books, knowing some terminology and having visited Yosemite will likely enhance your reading experience)

[Holly Burrows · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading stories about sports from the perspective of women always hits a little different than hearing them from men. I love how the book is structured in eras. It was cool to learn more about the history of climbing in one of the most famous climbing spots on earth through the eyes of women. Sometimes (often) I felt inspired, and sometimes reminded of the risks inherent in such a sport. It prompted me to think about why I climb (and do a variety of other sports). Great book for anyone who loves climbing, the outdoors, or sports stories from perspectives that have often been left out.

[B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent collection of essays - fluid, cohesive, and smartly organized by eras - with a wealth of writing from the heart. I am so thankful that a friend gave me this book. Too many highlights to list, but I've gone back several times to reread A. Flower's"Yield Point" (haunting, understated and visceral, with subtle + beautiful writing) and L. Delnevo's "Epico" (joyous, inspiring, a love letter to an incredible community).

[Erik Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes reading these accounts was hard for me. I found myself wishing I had this youth. These early 20s experiences of no responsibilities, only stoke. Living in places beyond imaginable.

But at the same time I would reminisce about the community and level of mastery I had with diving. And realize that I, too, experienced the themes of this book. I experienced the curiosity about my mental and physical limits, while pushing to find them. And had a community of friends cheering me on just the same as the characters of this book.

[Sydney caulfeild · Rating 4 out of 5]

“we don’t have a track program for women because it’s too hard on your bodies and might affect your child bearing abilities” (1951 some dude to a girl wanting to run. Nice.)

Women are incredible!! A 13 year old climbed el cap?! A woman who was paralyzed from the waist down did too, absolutely insane

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that this book exists and I really enjoyed the first few stories from the early 1900s. But towards the end it was mostly story after story that was a play by play of people climbing hard things and I just didn’t care as much. I loved the stories that focused more on climbing as a culture than as an individual feat of athleticism

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t think this is a book for laymen/folks who don’t have any outdoor climbing experience. Since the chapters are so short, you really have to know what the climbers are talking about to distinguish between the differences in technique or routes. If you don’t have that understanding, all the chapters sound the same.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely excellent collection of stories from women climbers in Yosemite, spanning decades. This made me want to go to Yosemite more than any story/film/etc. I've ever read/watched. If you are a climber this is definitely recommended reading! I will re-read this again and again.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever wonder where all the women are at in climbing stories about Yosemite? This book fills that gap and fills it well. I found it extremely engrossing. The stories span from the beginning of climbing in Yosemite in the early 1900s all the way to today.

[Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

100% worth the long wait. Loved every story. I felt like I was in Yosemite experiencing the climbing adventures along with these incredible women. Thanks to the Climbing Gold Podcast for the recommendation. I second their recommendation, this book is epic!

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book that just wasn't for me. As a former casual climber who has never been to Yosemite I could appreciate the sheer athleticism and drive of these amazing women but I often felt like I was missing a piece of the puzzle.

[Caitlin Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

My “read at work” book since it was short-story based, I could easily be interrupted by visitors.
I have highlighted and underlined parts of these stories to comeback to later. I feel inspired to go climb big walls like these incredible women. Grateful that the editor chose to make this book.