Slideshow: A Woman's Place Is on Top

credit Courtesy of Arlene Blum
In addition to her mountain climbing, Arlene Blum has a doctorate in biophysical chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley, and has taught at Wellesley College and Stanford University.

credit Courtesy of Arlene Blum
With great care, Blum and her team rappelled down amid the giant icicles.

credit Courtesy of Arlene Blum
Jumping out of her tent, Blum saw a tidal wave of snow and ice sweeping down toward the film crew and their helpers.

credit Courtesy of Arlene Blum
In Breaking Trail, Blum intertwines stories of the first female ascents of Annapurna and Mt. McKinley with personal accounts of growing up in the Midwest and her career as a biochemist.

credit Courtesy of Arlene Blum
"On the brilliantly clear morning of Sept. 25, Blum and two other women on her team carried the first loads up to Camp IIIa on Annapurna I. We left very early to minimize the avalanche risk. "