I became interested in mountaineering culture when I noticed that there seemed to be an infatuation with emaciated, damaged bodies, and that psychic rejuvenation came through physical destruction. This led me to think about a phenomenon I’m calling women’s recovery climbing. Why do women survivors of cancer or sexual violence, with “damaged,” “unhealthy” bodies seek out this punishing, life-threatening sport? And why is this happening mostly with women, as groups, when men continue to climb as individuals?
