Where the Mountain Casts Its Shadow

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Without risk, mountaineers argue, there is no self-knowledge from pushing life to its extremes. But when tragedy strikes, what becomes of those left behind? What drives anyone to invest in a future with a high-altitude risk-taker? Such questions have often been taboo in the mountaineering community. Now, the spouses, parents, and children of renowned climbers speak out about the darker side of adventure. Maria Coffey faced one of mountaineering's harshest realities when her partner, Joe Tasker, disappeared on Everest in 1982. In her work, she offers an intimate look at the beauty, passion, and devastation intertwined with this obsession. Through interviews with top climbers and their families—such as Jim Wickwire, Conrad Anker, Lynn Hill, and others—Coffey delves into what drives individuals to dedicate their lives to the mountains. She questions why society continues to celebrate their exploits despite the numerous tragedies. With an insider's perspective, Coffey reveals the emotional toll of loving those who pursue such perilous paths, highlighting the exhilarating highs, inevitable lows, stress of separations, and the lives shattered by climbing accidents. This poignant exploration exposes the profound personal costs of extreme adventure.