How to Climb Mt. Blanc in a Skirt: A Handbook for the Lady Adventurer

Which explorer found the lost site of Jesus' first miracle? Who was first to the top of the highest mountain in Peru? Who was the first Westerner to visit the Ottoman harem in Constantinople? Who held the world record as the only person to fly from Britain to Australia for 44 years? You'll find the answers to these questions and more in Mick Conefrey's charming new book (a hint: none of them had beards). In 1870, New York mountaineer Meta Brevoort climbed Mt. Blanc in a hoop skirt. Pausing at the summit only long enough to drink a glass of champagne and dance the quadrille with her alpine guides, she marched back down the mountain and into history as one of the first female mountain explorers. Here, Mick Conefrey weaves together tips, how-tos, anecdotes, and eccentric lists to tell the amazing stories of history's great female explorers women who were just as fascinating and inspiring as all the Shackletons, Mallorys, and Livingstones. Most were brave, some were reckless, and all were fascinating. From Fanny Bullock Workman, who was photographed on top of a mountain pass in the Karakoram, holding up a banner calling for "Votes for Women" to Mary Hall, the Victorian world traveler, whose motto was, "take every precaution and abandon all fear," How to Climb Mt. Blanc in a Skirt is uproariously funny and occasionally downright strange. "

About the Author :
Mick Conefrey is the author of The Adventurer's Handbook and a filmmaker who has made award-winning documentaries on Arctic exploration and Himalayan mountaineering. He lives in Oxford, England.

Review :
"It will entertain you as much as it will motivate you to live life on the edge." - Bust Magazine "An exhilarating read.This bookwill inspire adventurers and armchair travellers alike." - Jane Robinson, Author "Wayward Women," "Unsuitable for Ladies""Final proof, if any were needed, that you don't need a beard to explore the world." - Hugh Thomson, author of "The White Rock: An Exploration of the Inca Heartland""" "An inspiring read. It opens up possibilities for every kind of traveler. From wearing purple satin bloomers, to eating reindeer maggots and of course tying the breast bone of the hoopoe bird to your arm to make you bullet proof. A practical guide no self respecting woman traveler should be without. After reading this book you will be reaching for the computer to book your next adventure. It will put a spring in your step and will make you put your shoulders back.Quite irresistible. This eclectic mixture of funny, poignant and downright dangerous stories of women travelers is beautifully told with wit and verve but never sentimental. Quite magical." - Amanda Faber, Producer of The Race for Everest It will entertain you as much as it will motivate you to live life on the edge. Bust Magazine An exhilarating read. This book will inspire adventurers and armchair travellers alike. Jane Robinson, Author Wayward Women, Unsuitable for Ladies Final proof, if any were needed, that you don't need a beard to explore the world. Hugh Thomson, author of The White Rock: An Exploration of the Inca Heartland This eclectic mixture of funny, poignant and downright dangerous stories of women travelers is beautifully told with wit and verve but never sentimental. Quite magical. Amanda Faber, Producer of The Race for Everest " It will entertain you as much as it will motivate you to live life on the edge. "Bust Magazine" An exhilarating read. This book will inspire adventurers and armchair travellers alike. "Jane Robinson, Author Wayward Women, Unsuitable for Ladies" Final proof, if any were needed, that you don't need a beard to explore the world. "Hugh Thomson, author of The White Rock: An Exploration of the Inca Heartland" This eclectic mixture of funny, poignant and downright dangerous stories of women travelers is beautifully told with wit and verve but never sentimental. Quite magical. "Amanda Faber, Producer of The Race for Everest"" "It will entertain you as much as it will motivate you to live life on the edge." - Bust Magazine"An exhilarating read.This bookwill inspire adventurers and armchair travellers alike." - Jane Robinson, Author "Wayward Women," "Unsuitable for Ladies""Final proof, if any were needed, that you don't need a beard to explore the world." - Hugh Thomson, author of "The White Rock: An Exploration of the Inca Heartland""" "An inspiring read. It opens up possibilities for every kind of traveler. From wearing purple satin bloomers, to eating reindeer maggots and of course tying the breast bone of the hoopoe bird to your arm to make you bullet proof. A practical guide no self respecting woman traveler should be without. After reading this book you will be reaching for the computer to book your next adventure. It will put a spring in your step and will make you put your shoulders back.Quite irresistible. This eclectic mixture of funny, poignant and downright dangerous stories of women travelers is beautifully told with wit and verve but never sentimental. Quite magical." - Amanda Faber, Producer of The Race for Everest