Dierdre Wolownick climbing the New Hampshire classic route, Whitney-Gilman. Photo: Kurt Winkler
Dierdre Wolownick grew up in New York City and has lived and worked in many parts of the world, teaching five foreign languages on three continents. Retired from college teaching in California, she travels often to research locations, languages and cultures for her books, to climb rocks, or just to keep up her languages. Her writing, both fiction and non-fiction, has appeared in magazines, newspapers and books world-wide and has won awards. The independent publishing company she created has produced award-winners and international sellers, and her novels explore the connection between geography and our lives and loves.
A musician and artist all her life, Dierdre founded a regional Community Orchestra, which she conducted for four years, and has played in many local and regional orchestras, or as solo or duet performer on flute and piano. Her artwork, in pastel, oil or acrylic, hangs in homes or offices in many parts of the country.
At the age of 55, inspired by her daughter, Dierdre began long-distance running, and has done several marathons, as well as numerous half-marathons and other races. At 59, she began rock climbing with her son, and at the age of 66, she became the oldest woman to climb El Capitan, the iconic 3,200-foot granite wall in Yosemite National Park. In September of 2021, she broke her own record and climbed it again to celebrate her 70th birthday. Her children continue to inspire her to push her limits as an athlete, musician, speaker and writer.
A musician and artist all her life, Dierdre founded a regional Community Orchestra, which she conducted for four years, and has played in many local and regional orchestras, or as solo or duet performer on flute and piano. Her artwork, in pastel, oil or acrylic, hangs in homes or offices in many parts of the country.
At the age of 55, inspired by her daughter, Dierdre began long-distance running, and has done several marathons, as well as numerous half-marathons and other races. At 59, she began rock climbing with her son, and at the age of 66, she became the oldest woman to climb El Capitan, the iconic 3,200-foot granite wall in Yosemite National Park. In September of 2021, she broke her own record and climbed it again to celebrate her 70th birthday. Her children continue to inspire her to push her limits as an athlete, musician, speaker and writer.
Common Climber Articles:
Book Reviews:
- COVID-19 Remakes Our Lives (By Dierdre Wolownick) - Dierdre Wolownick shares some of her thoughts on our new existence with CoVID-19. She has an ongoing blog with multiple entries on this topic, capturing her thoughts and feelings as time and CoVID progress.
- Encouraging Words - At Any Age (By Dierdre Wolownick) - Dierdre Wolownick explores the role of encouraging words in climbing and beyond. If you think what you say doesn't make a difference, you might think differently...
- The Adventure of a Lifetime...So far (By Dierdre Wolownick) - "When you think of big wall climbers, it’s not generally an “elderly lady” who comes to mind. That’s what my son, Alex Honnold, called me during my first year of climbing, when he led me and another “elderly lady” friend up Snake Dike on Half Dome. Eight years later, when I climbed El Cap with him, I was even more elderly."
Book Reviews:
- The Red Curtain - Book Review (Book By: Dave Barnes, Review By: Dierdre Wolownick - Climber and book author Diedre Wolownick reviews the sci-fi adventure novel The Red Curtain: Climbing Expedition to Mars 2043.
- A review of Dierdre's Book The Sharp End of Life