Breaking Trail is the best leadership autobiography I have read. it's not only a case study of decision-making under life-and-death situations but also a story of one person's adventurous path through the life lessons that define character. Required reading for anyone who aspires to lead others to greatness. -James Kouzes, coauthor of The Leadership Challenge.
Join the Wharton Club of Northern California on Thursday, November 9th when we present mountaineer, scientist, and author Arlene Blum!
Dr. Arlene Blum is a legendary trailblazer by any measure. In the 1970's, she led the first teams of women on successful ascents of Mt. McKinley and Annapurna, and she was the first American woman to attempt Mt. Everest. She has played a leading role in more than twenty successful mountaineering expeditions, including the second American ascent of Mt. Everest and the first women's team to climb Denali.
Arlene's mountain adventures and scientific research have been based on having a vision and working with others to make it a reality. Alluring lines on maps led her on a 2000 mile long walk across the Great Himalaya Range; mountaineering expeditions on six continents; and across the Alps with a baby on her back.
I stand in awe, respect, and gratitude for Arlene Blum's story as recounted in Breaking Trail. I took for granted my right to pursue my climbing dreams and passions until I read of her determination, struggles, and conquests. - Sharon Wood, first North American woman to reach the summit of Mt. Everest
Dr. Blum will share with us memorable stories of vision, fun and hard work in her life of high mountain leadership including the triumph and tragedy of leading the American Women's Himalayan Expedition through storms, icefalls and avalanches -- to the top of Annapurna's 26,500-foot summit for the first American ascent. She will also discuss new and surprising insights into the perennially interesting question of why women, as well as men, choose to risk their lives to reach the summits of dangerous mountains. Her personal narrative will combine with her memorable slides -- some of which have illustrated her articles in National Geographic and Smithsonian magazines -- for an unforgettable presentation.
Register online
Date: Thursday, November 9th, 6:00-7:00pm. Check-in; reception with delicious appetizers and informal networking. 7:00-8:00pm. Presentation and Discussion followed by Q&A.
Location: Ming's of Palo Alto, 1700 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Registration: $20 WCNC Members and members of affiliate clubs, and their accompanied guests. $40 for non-member alumni and other guests. $10 additional for tickets purchased after 4pm 11/07. The WCNC's standard cancellation policy applies for this event.
Arlene Blum
Arlene Blum writer, mountaineer and chemist, is best known for leading the first American-and all-women's-ascent of Annapurna I, considered one of the world's most dangerous and difficult mountains. Blum also led the first women's team up Mt. McKinley; was the first American woman to attempt Mt. Everest; made the first traverse of the Great Himalaya Range of Bhutan, Nepal and India; and hiked the length of the European Alps with her baby daughter on her back.
Her new memoir, Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life, shows how she rose above a stifling childhood in the flatlands of Chicago to realize improbable dreams both among the worlds' highest mountains and also in the chemistry laboratory. Her first book, Annapurna: A Woman's Place, was chosen by National Geographic Adventure Magazine as one of the 100 top adventure books of all time and included in Fortune magazine's 2005 list of "The 75 Smartest Business Books We Know."
Arlene holds a doctorate in biophysical chemistry and has taught at Stanford University, Wellesley College, and the University of California, Berkeley.
