XX Factor: A Womans Place is on Top
Back when men still believed the \u201cweaker sex\u201d were inferior climbers, Arlene Blum led a women\u2019s ascent of Annapurna, the world\u2019s tenth-highest peak. The 1978 climb put the first women\u2014and first Americans, period\u2014on the summit, but the death of two climbers sparked a controversy. Outside contributing editor Florence Williams talks with Blum and Alpinist editor in chief Katie Ives about why the expedition continues to inspire climbers and stir debate.