Breathtaking, heart-stopping, and healing. Yes, In the Shadow of the Mountain is about mountain-climbing, but it also contains multitudes. It's also about being Latinx, about being queer, about abuse, alcoholism, sisterhood, family, and healing oneself and women around the world. Silvia Vasquez-Lavado's courage and vulnerability in writing about some of the darkest parts of her life and the ongoing process of overcoming incredible hardships was very inspiring.