Steph Davis

Steph Davis is a professional rock climber, BASE jumper, wingsuit pilot, and author known for her achievements in multiple outdoor adventure sports. She has completed numerous first free ascents and free solo climbs on challenging routes across the globe. Davis has written two memoirs documenting her experiences and philosophy: "High Infatuation: A Climber's Guide to Love and Gravity" (2007) and "Learning to Fly: A Memoir of Hanging On and Letting Go" (2013). Her work explores themes of risk, personal growth, and the relationship between outdoor sports and mindfulness. As one of the most accomplished female climbers in history, Davis has established herself as a pioneering figure in the sport climbing community. She is also notable for being the first woman to free climb the Salathé Wall on El Capitan and to summit all the peaks in the Fitz Roy Range of Patagonia. Beyond her athletic achievements, Davis holds a master's degree in English Literature and maintains a vegan lifestyle, which she frequently writes about on her blog. She currently resides in Moab, Utah, where she continues to climb, jump, and write while running her own climbing instruction business.

Readers connect with Davis's honest portrayal of fear, loss, and personal transformation through climbing and BASE jumping. Her authentic voice comes through in both books, with readers noting her direct writing style and lack of ego. What readers liked: - Raw emotional depth in describing her divorce and partner's death - Technical climbing details balanced with accessible explanations - Focus on mental preparation and mindfulness - Practical insights about vegan nutrition for athletes What readers disliked: - Some found "Learning to Fly" repetitive in parts - Wanted more detail about specific climbs and techniques - A few readers felt disconnected from the spiritual/philosophical sections Ratings: Goodreads: "Learning to Fly" - 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) "High Infatuation" - 3.9/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: "Learning to Fly" - 4.5/5 (150+ reviews) "High Infatuation" - 4.3/5 (50+ reviews) "Her vulnerability and courage shine through every page" - Common reader sentiment across platforms

High Infatuation: A Climber's Guide to Love and Gravity (2007) A memoir chronicling Davis's experiences as a professional climber, including accounts of notable ascents and her path to becoming a sponsored athlete.

Learning to Fly: A Memoir of Hanging On and Letting Go (2013) An autobiographical work detailing Davis's transition into wingsuit flying and BASE jumping following personal loss, with detailed accounts of her training and experiences.

Abyss Diving and Other Misadventures (2017) A collection of essays exploring Davis's adventures in various extreme sports, focusing on her diving experiences and their connection to her other athletic pursuits.

Lynn Hill writes about climbing achievements and mental preparation techniques in ways that parallel Davis's focus on mindset and technical skill development. Her accounts of breaking barriers in climbing connect with Davis's themes of overcoming limitations.

Mark Twight documents alpine climbing and training methodologies with raw honesty about fear and risk assessment. His writing combines technical climbing insights with philosophical perspectives on motivation.

Bernadette McDonald chronicles mountaineering history and profiles climbers who pushed boundaries in remote locations. Her research-based approach provides context for the type of climbing progression Davis describes.

Tommy Caldwell shares personal narratives about climbing development and life transitions that mirror Davis's path. His writing examines relationships between climbing partners and solo achievements.

Royal Robbins wrote about climbing ethics and environmental stewardship during the sport's early development period. His perspective on clean climbing and minimalist approaches aligns with Davis's values.