In July 2024, Canongate will republish Dorothy Pilley’s pioneering mountaineering memoir, Climbing Days. Introduced by Dorothy’s great-grand-nephew, Dan Richards, the book will ascend to the Canongate Canons list and feature all the original photographs – the first edition to do so since 1965. The book will receive its official launch at Dorothy’s beloved Alpine Club on 2 July 2024. 

Dan will be joined on the night by writer and academic, Dr Sarah Lonsdale and UKClimbing Editor in Chief Natalie Berry to discuss and celebrate Dorothy’s life, climbs, and ongoing legacy.

When Dorothy first began climbing in the 1910s, female mountaineers were viewed as a dangerous liability, their achievements ignored, unrecorded or disbelieved. Undeterred, Dorothy led the way for women’s climbing, making the first ascent of the north-north-west ridge of the Dent Blanche and co-founding the Pinnacle Club for women in 1921.

Join us to hear more about Dorothy's fascinating life and the book in which she chronicled her many groundbreaking adventures.

The talk will be held at the Alpine Club's premises at 55 Charlotte Road, London, EC2A 3QF from 7PM on 2 July 2024.

This will be our final event before the summer break and is being held earlier than usual to give more members the chance to attend before heading out to the Alps.

For safety reasons, we are required to keep a register of all attendees. If you plan to attend, please complete the form below. (This applies to both members and non-members).