Skip to main content
eScholarship
Open Access Publications from the University of California

Breast cancer, biosociality, and wilderness therapy: the practice of remaking selfhood in mountain climbing

Abstract

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?

Main Content
For improved accessibility of PDF content, download the file to your device.
Current View