\nWife and mother. Teacher and musician. Marathoner and rock climber. At 66,
\nDierdre Wolownick became the oldest woman to climb El Capitan in Yosemite–and
\nin The Sharp End of Life: A Mother\u2019s Story, she shares her intimate journey,
\nrevealing how her climbing achievement reflects a broader story of courage and
\npersistence. <\/p>\n
Dierdre grew up under the watchful eyes of a domineering mother and realized
\nearly on that her parents\u2019 plans for her future weren\u2019t what she wanted for
\nherself. Later, what seemed like a storybook romance brought escape, with new
\nexperiences and eye-opening travel, but she quickly discovered that her
\nhusband was not the happy-go-lucky man he had first appeared. Adapting as best
\nshe could, Dierdre juggled work and raising two young children, encouraging
\nthem to be fearlessly confident. She noted with delight how her \u201clittle lady\u201d
\nStasia took it upon herself to look out for her baby brother, and watched in
\namazement as Alex (Honnold of «Free Solo» fame) started climbing practically
\nbefore he could crawl. <\/p>\n
After years of struggle in her marriage and her ultimate divorce, Dierdre
\nfound inspiration in her now-adult children\u2019s passions, as well as new depths
\nwithin herself. At Stasia\u2019s urging, she took up running at age 54 and soon
\ncompleted several marathons. Then at age 58, Alex led her on her first rock
\nclimbs. A world of friendship and support suddenly opened up to her within the
\nclimbing \u201ctribe,\u201d culminating in her record-setting ascent of El Cap with her
\nson. <\/p>\n
From confused young wife and busy but lonely mother to confident middle-aged
\nathlete, Dierdre brings the reader along as she finds new strength, happiness,
\nand community in the outdoors–and a life of learning, acceptance, and spirit. <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"