High Infatuation : A Climber's Guide to Love and Gravity

· A collection of vivid, intimate essays and prose poetry on the universal themes of life, love, friendship, personal empowerment, and more, told through a career in climbing
· 40 percent of these pieces debut for the first time in print
· Davis has been profiled in publications including Outside, Men's Journal, W Magazine, and Sports Illustrated.

Throughout her life, Steph Davis has chosen to take risks, to trust her impulses, to make decisions based on what feels right inside--and never look back. Studying to be a concert pianist, she quit music the day she was introduced to rock climbing. Later, she abandoned the respectability of university life and pursuit of a law degree to become a "dirtbag climber," living out of her grandmother's hand-me-down Oldsmobile sedan with Fletcher, a heeler mix dog. Today, through courage and perseverance, Davis is a high-profile athlete sponsored by Mammut, Clif Bar, Five Ten and Cascade Designs.

In High Infatuation, Davis writes on the universal themes of life, love, friendship, personal empowerment, and more, told through a career in climbing. We wait with her in the tent through weeks of rain, wind, snow, and sleet, hoping for the weather to improve in the mountains of Patagonia, then race with her up a towering rock wall of Yosemite's El Capitan in a single day. We feel gratitude toward a female climbing partner who cheers her on through an epic ascent and heartache when her relationship with the man she marries, climber Dean Potter, is tested by her need for constant movement and career challenge. More than adventure stories, these pieces reveal Davis' soul. They draw us into her struggles with safety, independence, ambition, and compassion. By following the journey of this remarkable woman, we learn what it means to live a truly adventurous life.

Climb Nashville

"Interesting, well written, humble and sincere"

Rock and Ice Magazine

"Davis's clean, fresh prose and honest and open examination of herself make High Infatuation an enjoyable, quick read, and the book has some gems, like 'Falling,' … in which she explores the death of two sisters in Freemont Canyon. This book will be a nice addition to the annals of mountaineering literature."

Jimmy Chin, Photographer and climber

"Steph Davis's stories and anecdotes are truly inspiring; her writing, thoughtful and poignant. She has led an uncompromising life. And her heartfelt insight into the struggles and decisions that have informed that life is a gift to any reader."

San Luis Obispo Tribune

"The ultimate focus of the book is not climbing but the conflict Davis feels between the radical solitude of her chosen obsession and being a member of society."

The Bulletin (Bend, OR)

"High Infatuation: A Climbers Guide to Love and Gravity is a collection of soul-searching essays by a female climber who has experienced enough adventure to last several 'normal' lifetimes."

The Modesto Bee

"High Infatuation chronicles her stripped-down, up-the-wall life… [and] the book is about more than gear and climbing routes."

By: Francisco Tharp, Mountain Gazette

"Davis uses a conversational voice with just enough climbing lingo to tie together a lifetime of lessons learned in the almighty name of Going Higher. In fact, she's put together a hell of an infatuating story. It's four cups sweat and adrenaline adventure tales, two cups fresh personal essay, a tablespoon of poetry and a handful of international and cultural travel writing."

Klamath Falls Herald&News

"[Davis's] writings reveal a woman given to impulses, seeking outlandish challenges and daring to be different."