Canadian SHARON WOOD made history in l986 when she became the first woman from North America to climb Mount Everest.  Her team accomplished their ascent without Sherpa assistance via a new variation of the difficult West Ridge.  Despite several attempts, their route has never been successfully repeated. Sharon’s epic story of her small team prevailing over impossible odds catapulted her into a professional speaking career.  

Mount Everest was not Sharon’s first or last mountain.  The certified ACMG Alpine Guide has over four decades of experience climbing and guiding throughout the mountain ranges of the world. Mount Everest proved to be a steppingstone to further accomplishments: she has raised two high-spirited sons, served as co-founder and president of a fully accredited elementary school, and most recently she completed her memoir, Rising, published by Douglas and McIntyre in 2019. Sharon has made Canmore, Alberta her home for over forty years.  She considers herself mostly retired and enjoys an active mountain lifestyle.