Climbing free - Lynn Hill

Shortlisted for the Boardman Tasker Prize for outstanding contribution to mountain literature, this is the world's foremost female rock climber's inspiring story of her rise to the very top of her sport.

Lynn Hill has never let being a woman keep her from the hardest routes and toughest competitions in free climbing, making up in focus, determination and grace what she lacked in brawn and testosterone. In her autobiography she draws readers into the breathtaking excitement of the sport, conveying the true rewards of rock climbing - the physical, mental and spiritual satisfaction this sport can provide.

Lynn's career has developed and grown alongside the popularity of rock-climbing as a sport. She learned to climb in the 70s when the sport was practically unknown and her extraordinary talent became widely recognised as the sport became more popular. She stunned the international climbing community when she became the first person to free-climb Yosemite's famous 3,000ft Nose, and topped this feat the following year by repeating the route in 23 hours, half the time in pitch darkness, something it took 6,264 hours for the next male climber to accomplish.

This outstanding achievement, has ensured that both sexes now compete on routes of equal difficulty in competitions. A woman in a man's world, Lynn Hill has re-written the boundaries of her sport , and as a rock-climber and role model she has yet to be outclassed.

The chronicle of a unique and fascinating life, this book combines extreme adventure, inspiration and spirituality with plenty of thrills, adventure, danger and excitement. Her skill, determination, perseverence, confidence and legendary status shine through on every page of this fascinating story.