Spring Break
Mountain climber turns mountains into molehills
Leonard Low
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: News
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Blum has climbed to the summits of countless mountains throughout the world and written books about her adventures.
On Wednesday, Blum shared stories about some of those adventures with an audience of about 60 people at Sacramento State.
"Having a vision, believing in your vision, getting people to share it and making the world a better place," Blum said about the importance of having a strong vision in life.
Blum was invited as a visiting author by the Friends of the Library in celebration of National Library Week and was the keynote speaker for the group's annual meeting, said Sally Hitchcock, university library outreach coordinator.
A trailblazer in academia as well as in mountain climbing, Blum promoted her new book, "Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life," which details the events of her careers.
In the 1960s, she was one of four women who received a doctorate in chemistry, Blum said. She continues working as a scientist and lobbyist, fighting to ban toxic chemicals.
At age 25, Blum was the assistant leader of an all-women, six-member team that ascended to the top of Denali, part of Alaska's Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America.
Blum was elevated to the leader position after the original leader became unconscious because of altitude sickness. She and the rest of the team had to drag the limp body while descending the mountain.
Additionally, Blum has led the first all-women American team to ascend Annapurna I, one of the world's highest summits. She was also the first woman to attempt to climb Mt. Everest, which is part of the Himalayan Mountains. Having climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in the east African nation of Tanzania is on her list of accomplishments, too.
Blum said of all her adventures though, if she could only choose one thing, it would be motherhood.
She is a single mother. Her 21-year-old daughter, Annalise, is a sophomore environmental engineering major at Stanford University.
Many in the audience said they were impressed by both Blum's achievements and her slideshow.
"I was very impressed that someone could lead a fascinating life and be at incredible ends of the spectrum. Also, to have the time to devote oneself to scholarship and to raising a family," said Tabzeera Dosu, the new university library dean.
For more information, visit Blum's website, www.arleneblum.com.
Leonard Low can be reached at llow@statehornet.com.
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