Daring to Dream (Sherpa Women Climbing K2)

Daring to Dream tells the story of Maya, Dawa and Pasang as they struggled with their own decisions on climbing K2, the mountainous obstacles overcome to raise the necessary funds, and the challenging journey and climb.

More than an account of climbing, the book tells the story of three women determined to achieve their dreams. It tells of their perseverance in facing the endless challenges from mounds of bureaucracy to the treacherous slopes of the mountain. Maya, Dawa and Pasang are role models to inspire women in Nepal and around the world.

This story of three, strong Nepali women will inspire anyone to go for their dream. In this candidly depicted journey to K2 — the 'savage' mountain — Dawa, Maya and Pasang open up about not only the physical challenge of climbing itself, but the added limitations placed upon them as women. Pasang Yangjee Sherpa PhD, Anthropologist

From humble beginnings of hardship to heroines who are giving back to their country of Nepal in a variety of ways, these young women are an inspiration to all. Jenni Lowe-Anker and Conrad Anker, Founders, Khumbu Climbing Centre

I was one of the climbers sharing the mountain with Pasang, Maya, and Dawa on this K2 climb. They are great role models for girls in Nepal and globally to show that you too can live your life with passion and follow your dreams. ... Don't leave your dreams on your pillow. Al Hancock, Key Note Speaker and Alpinist

This story of three, strong Nepali women will inspire anyone to go for their dream. In this candidly depicted journey to K2 — the 'savage' mountain — Dawa Yangzum Sherpa, Maya Sherpa and Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita open up about not only the physical challenge of climbing itself, but the added limitations placed upon them as women. They were told that their dreams were unachievable, and that they should instead settle for the stereotypical gendered role of taking care of their family. The readers will learn that it was their hard work and teamwork that eventually helped them succeed.

Pasang Yangjee Sherpa PhD Anthropologist

I was one of the climbers sharing the mountain with Pasang, Maya, and Dawa on this K2 climb. They are great role models for girls in Nepal and globally, and show that you too can live your life with passion if you follow your dreams. I always say that success on the mountain is a waste of time if it is not used to motivate others. How can you not learn and grow by the challenges of climbing a mountain? Life is all about challenges, it's having the courage to fall down and the strength to get back up; courage changes everything. It's daring to dream. Be BOLD in your DREAMS! Live your life. Don't leave your dreams on your pillow.

Al Hancock Key Note Speaker and Alpinist

Over the past couple of decades, we have had the extraordinary pleasure of befriending some of the diverse people that are the rich fabric of Nepal's culture. It has been exciting to see the growing leadership role of mountain people and Nepali climbers. We feel so very honored to know Dawa Yangzum Sherpa, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita, and Maya Sherpa, and to witness their perseverance. From humble beginnings of hardship to heroines who are giving back to their country of Nepal in a variety of ways, these young women are an inspiration to all.

Jenni Lowe-Anker and Conrad Anker Founders, Khumbu Climbing Centre

Dawa: "1 took a step forward, my crampons gripping the smooth ice sloping down over the cliffs.

"Here we stood on this narrow ledge on K2. Now I understood why people call it the 'savage' mountain. I breathed deep. I was so scared. A wall of glacier ice hung above us and nothing but ice-covered cliffs falling thousands of feet below. We were so close to, but so far from the summit.

"Step by step, each of us inched across the steep ice of the Bottleneck,' the most dangerous part of the climb. If the ice above broke, it could either sweep us of the cliff or cut the rope so we could not descend the mountain.

"Even though I had lived in a world of ice and snow since I was a girl, I had never been in such a dangerous place."