In the Shadow of the Mountain

A Memoir of Courage

By: Silvia Vasquez-Lavado

Narrated by: Silvia Vasquez-Lavado

“In climbing the Seven Summits, Silvia Vasquez-Lavado did nothing less than take back her own life—one brave step at a time. She will inspire untold numbers of souls with this story, for her victory is a win on behalf of all of us.”—Elizabeth Gilbert

This audiobook is read by the author.

"Through her narration, Vasquez-Lavado, whose first language is Spanish, conveys a lifetime of warmth, humor and steely determination."—Bookpage

"Complex and compelling, Vasquez-Lavado’s quest to heal herself from the deep wounds of patriarchy is also a vibrantly feminist celebration of female resilience."—Kirkus Reviews

"Making history is nothing new for adventurous mountaineer, explorer, entrepreneur, author, and activist Silvia Vasquez-Lavado."—Out Magazine

Endless ice. Thin air. The threat of dropping into nothingness thousands of feet below. This is the climb Silvia Vasquez-Lavado braves in her pulse-raising memoir following her journey to Mount Everest.

A Latina hero in the elite macho tech world of Silicon Valley, privately, she was hanging by a thread. Deep in the throes of alcoholism, hiding her sexuality from her family, and repressing the abuse she’d suffered as a child, she started climbing. Something about the brute force required for the ascent—the risk and spirit and sheer size of the mountains and death’s close proximity—woke her up. She then took her biggest pain as a survivor to the biggest mountain: Everest.

“The Mother of the World”, as it’s known in Nepal, allows few to reach her summit, but Silvia didn’t go alone. She gathered a group of young female survivors and led them to base camp alongside her. It was never easy. At times hair-raising, nerve-racking, and always challenging, Silvia remembers the acute anxiety of leading a group of novice climbers to Everest’s base, all the while coping with her own nerves of summiting. But there were also moments of peace, joy, and healing, with the strength of her fellow survivors and community propelling her forward.

In the Shadow of the Mountain is a remarkable story of heroism, one which awakens in all of us a lust for adventure, an appetite for risk, and faith in our own resilience.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company.

©2022 Silvia Vasquez-Lavado (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

2022, BookPage Best Books of the Year, Long-listed

Wow…

Thank you for your most compelling story. At times I felt that I was taking this journey with you..
Felicidades…
Raquel M

Thank You Silvia

Your amazing and courageous journey hit close to home. Thank you so much for sharing. Though Ive never imagined climbing mountains, your descriptive words captivated my senses. You are my heroine🙏🏽

Renetta Ann Trujillo

Amazing autobiography and tale of climbing!0

I loved the combination of autobiography, climbing and spirituality. The author reads and her accent is part of the lure of the book.

A Inspiring Story of Overcoming Trauma

I found the author’s story to be both uplifting and yet sad at times since her childhood trauma caused her so to make so many poor choices along the way. I found the interweaving of timelines helped keep the storyline positive when it could have taken so many bad turns. I especially enjoyed the trek to base camp with the young women and hearing their stories as well and how the trip was helping them to heal too.
Andie using Aaron’s account

Next?

Left me wanting more! More about her life after she conquered Everest, which had to be easier than overcoming the torment of her childhood abuse. An absolutely amazing woman!

Amazing Journey!

thank you for the open transparency to take us along the journey within reminding us we too can do it.

Beautiful and courageous!

What a heart wrenching book! I could feel the incredible rawness of the author’s pain and what she endured to try to get beyond and heal that brokenness. At times, I could feel my own tears forming for the precious little girl, and later for the suffering young woman. The writing flows so well between the author’s times as a child, student, young working professional, etc., and all of her complicated and heartbreaking relationships. The descriptions of the experiences of the other young women were so visceral as well. The author’s description of the ascent of Everest captivated me also. I felt like I was right there with her.

Thanks for an amazing book!

Inspirational

This book was an interesting listen. I enjoyed listening to the author, in her own words, give an account of her life and difficulties she had to navigate to get where she is now.
This would be a great listen to any young person encountering difficulties, or older individuals who assist those with difficulties or who have lived through difficulties of their own.
This is not my normal genre, but I am sure glad I picked this book as one to listen to!

great story

A very well executed woven of stories.
starts with a exciting story follow up by the reality of a traumatic story while holding you and making you feel tight,.

Excellent inspiring memoir on survival

Gracias Silvia Vasquez-Lavado for an inspiring memoir of hope, strength, love, family, wholeness, faith and determination.