I Am Here : On Staying Alive

This is a true story of survival set in the most extreme mental and physical landscapes: a journey through total breakdown, the depths of loss and the beauty and danger of high mountainsIn her early thirties, Kate Armstrong was on top of the world: building a future with the love of her life, thriving in a fast-moving career and climbing spectacular mountain peaks.Then, out of the blue, she had a shattering breakdown, fell into near-fatal addiction and almost destroyed her marriage. A decade later, she’s hit by catastrophe of a whole different order.Unable to find her way forward, she turns to her past experiences for lessons in how to survive.Then, the mountains grounded her. Now, they become her salvation. I Am Here ranges between high-altitude Alpine ice peaks and psychiatric hospitals, the wilds of Scotland and basement AA meetings, London backstreets and the fierce beauty of the remote Himalaya.It is a love story. It is a testament to those who care for and guide us.Above all it demonstrates the wisdom that can come from deep pain – and how it can help us through whatever lies ahead. The mountains of rock and ice were so much more straightforward than the mountains of my mind