Beyond the Limits: A Woman's Triumph on Everest

On September 29, 1988, Allison stood atop Mt. Everest, the first American woman to reach the summit. Her achievment was doubly gratifying since it came on the heels of a failed attempt in 1987, defeated by the weather. With Carlin ( Brave New Bride ), Allison recounts her introduction to serious climbing in such places as Zion National Park, Yosemite, Mt. McKinley, Ama Dablam in Nepal. For her, caught in an abusive marriage, climbing was more than a challenge. It was freedom. Establishing a construction business, she worked to raise money for expeditions and continued to climb. Her account of the 1988 expedition affords a glimpse into the world of big-time international climbing; her own experiences reveal admirable courage and determination. This year, Allison is leading an expedition to K2. Photos not seen by PW. (Aug.)