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

Though often overlooked, women have long been at the center of climbing in Yosemite—integral members of the community establishing routes and making equipment. In ‘Valley of Giants’, editor and climber Miller has gathered original stories, interviews, journal excerpts, archival materials, and memorable firsts that span a century of accomplishments in the Valley.

With a foreward by Mari Gingery, one of the first women to climb the Shield on El Capitan, this collection features almost 40 contributors - from Bea Vogel who forged her own pitons to Molly Higgins who along with Barb Eastmas was the first all-female team to climb the Nose on to Liz Robbins who pioneered routes 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, Quinn Brett, and more share the exhilaration they felt up on the wall and the determination it took to get there.

Encompassing five distinct eras, this groundbreaking anthology captures a range of stories from heartbreaking losses to soaring joys, and from first ascents to moments that convey the essence of what it means to call this iconic place home.