Download or read book Chamonix Mountain Adventures written by Hilary Sharp and published by Cicerone Press Limited. This book was released on 2012-12-20 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This guidebook shows the vast range of activities available in the mountains surrounding Chamonix. With routes for several different pursuits including walking, trail running, mountain biking, road cycling, via ferratas, rock climbing, mountaineering and bouldering, it is a comprehensive collection of everything this popular region has to offer. All the routes and activities range in difficulty, from easy strolls for all abilities to moderate rock climbs and glacier hikes, which require either technical skills or a professional guide. Families, groups of friends and mountaineers looking for a 'rest day' or a change to what they're used to will all find something to whet their appetites here. Chamonix has long been a dream destination for mountain adventures and its environment is ideal for such a varied list of activities. This guide allows you to enjoy its spectacular views and renowned summits in many different ways or by mixing and matching your favourites.

Download or read book Chamonix Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles Rouges a Guide for Skiers written by Anselme Baud and published by Primento. This book was released on 2015-03-04 with total page 92 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discover the skiing downhills of the Chamonix Mountain in this very detailed and documented book, written by one of the most talented skiers of his generation. Located at the very heart of the highest mountains of Europe, the majestic Chamonix massif stands as a reference among the most sacred skiing places in the world. When winter comes, this snow-addict heaven offers a unique range of dream slopes, from the easiest to the most breathtakingly high ones. Anselme Baud is an extreme skiing leading head and one of the best experts of this mountain. From classic skiing hikes to mountaineering competitions, this guide book presents a precise description of all the biggest slopes this mythic area could offer. In this volume you can find all the information about Chamonix. Thanks to his charming accounts and instructive advice, Anselme Baud shares with us his precious and wide experience as a high mountain guide and an exceptional skier. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born in Morzine in 1948, Anselme Baud left his mark on the Alps skiing steep slopes history. As a high mountain guide in 1973, he was one the first to ski on extreme downhills in the Alps, the Andes, in Antarctica or in the Himalayas. As an ENSA professor, he supervised during several years the mountain guides trainings in Bolivia and Nepal. EXCERPT We now come to the Chamonix Aiguilles and the final section of the Mont Blanc Massif. You can’t miss the Chamonix ‘Needles’ as you arrive in this, the capital of mountaineering. Above and behind them, forming the heart of the Massif, sit Mont Blanc and its surrounding peaks (the Tacul, Maudit and Goûter), which have made the valley famous. There are two different approaches to skiing in this area: – classic ski-touring, with its 1 to 2-day climbs and long descents that require mountaineering skills and experience as this is a high mountain environment crossing glaciated terrain; – the ‘new wave’ of freeriders. Using the cable-cars means you can shorten or completely avoid long climbs up to some of the routes in this area, and the approach to the valley’s ‘mythic’ descents, such as the north face of the Aiguille du Midi, can be relatively quick and easy. In fact, from the start of winter a veritable festival of freerider descents is played out before our eyes. Just after a large fall of snow, the slopes on the Glacier Rond, the Cosmiques Couloir and many other routes become almost ‘snow parks’, which would have been inconceivable 30 years ago...

Download or read book Mont Blanc Walks written by Hilary Sharp and published by Cicerone Press Limited. This book was released on 2024-10-02 with total page 362 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A guidebook to 50 day walks in the Mont Blanc region near Chamonix and Courmayeur, plus outlines of 4 multi-day treks around both sides of the Mont Blanc massif. The day walks are 2–13 miles (3–20km) in length and range from high-level walks to easy summits, mountain huts, viewpoints and mountain lakes, as well as less strenuous valley walks. The multi-day treks range from 14–33 miles (22–52km) and include Vallorcine to Plaine Joux and Servoz, the Aiguilles Rouges and the Italian Val Ferret. 1:100,000 sketch maps (1:200,000 scale for treks) included Bases include Les Houches, Chamonix, Argentiere and Courmayeur Information on access, accommodation and recommended mapping Walks are graded (1-3) according to difficulty Valley walks included for bad weather or rest days

Download or read book Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles Rouges a Guide for Skiers Complete Guide written by Anselme Baud and published by Primento. This book was released on 2015-03-04 with total page 389 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: All the skiing downhills of the Aiguilles Rouges and Mont Blanc mountains are gathered in this unique book, written by one of the most talented skiers of his generation. Located at the very heart of the highest mountains of Europe, the majestic Mont Blanc massif stands as a reference among the most sacred skiing places in the world. When winter comes, this snow-addict heaven offers a unique range of dream slopes, from the easiest to the most breathtakingly high ones. Anselme Baud is an extreme skiing leading head and one of the best experts of this mountain. He gives us here the first comprehensive rundown of the Mont Blanc and Aiguilles Rouges skiing downhills. From classic skiing hikes to mountaineering competitions, this guide book presents a precise description of all the biggest slopes this mythic area could offer. Thanks to his charming accounts and instructive advice, Anselme Baud shares with us his precious and wide experience as a high mountain guide and an exceptional skier. PRESS REVIEW - « In its own genre, this is a bible » - Alpinisme & Randonnée - « More than a rundown guide, the latest Anselme Baud’s work is a real nice book, easy-reading, full of information and suggestions » - Vertical - « Did Anselme Baud just write the skiing Bible of the Mont Blanc and Aiguilles Rouges mountains ? » - Montagnes Magazine - « This is the skiing rundown that missed on our bookshelves » - Bulletin des guides - « A gold nugget. A complete and documented how-to-book. Don’t leave it away : this is a friend advice » - Ski Français ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born in Morzine in 1948, Anselme Baud left his mark on the Alps skiing steep slopes history. As a high mountain guide in 1973, he was one the first to ski on extreme downhills in the Alps, the Andes, in Antarctica or in the Himalayas. As an ENSA professor, he supervised during several years the mountain guides trainings in Bolivia and Nepal. From the amateur looking for the most beautiful powder snow to the mountaineer who is keen on extreme skiing, ski fans will find in this book all the useful information to fulfill their dreams of perfect lines and immaculate marks! EXCERPT INTRODUCTION MONT BLANC Unique and majestic, basking in glorious light or vexed by troublesome storms, Mont Blanc is the king of Europe. It presides in stately fashion over its glaciers, deep valleys, and delicately crenellated granite ridges. Its summit has always been prized ; its deadly rages terrifying some and fascinating others. The first to tread on its snowy dome were the Chamoniards Gabriel Paccard and Jacques Balmat on 8th August 1786. Since that time the mountain has enjoyed no respite : first came the caravans of hopeful conquerors, then there were the intrepid unguided parties, those in eager pursuit of discovery, and adventurers of all kinds. Latterly, with the aid of advances in technology, we have witnessed, or indeed participated in, some more irreverent assaults on the mountain’s dignity : Jansen’s laboratory (financed by Eiffel), a banquet sponsored by a leading brand of champagne, a car on the summit that subsequently remained stranded in a snowdrift on the Petits Mulets Ridge (4690m) for several months, to name but a few...

Download or read book Switzerland Together with Chamonix and the Italian Lakes written by Karl Baedeker (Firm) and published by . This book was released on 1928 with total page 884 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Le Tour Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles Rouges a Guide for Skiers written by Anselme Baud and published by Primento. This book was released on 2015-03-04 with total page 74 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discover the skiing downhills of the Tour Mountain in this very detailed and documented book, written by one of the most talented skiers of his generation. Located at the very heart of the highest mountains of Europe, the majestic Tour massif stands as a reference among the most sacred skiing places in the world. When winter comes, this snow-addict heaven offers a unique range of dream slopes, from the easiest to the most breathtakingly high ones. Anselme Baud is an extreme skiing leading head and one of the best experts of this mountain. From classic skiing hikes to mountaineering competitions, this guide book presents a precise description of all the biggest slopes this mythic area could offer. In this volume you can find all the information about Le Tour. Thanks to his charming accounts and instructive advice, Anselme Baud shares with us his precious and wide experience as a high mountain guide and an exceptional skier. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born in Morzine in 1948, Anselme Baud made a mark on the Alps skiing steep slopes history. He was a high mountain guide in 1973, and was one the first who skied extreme downhills in the Alps, the Andes, in Antarctica or in the Himalayas. As an ENSA professor, he supervised during several years the mountain guides training in Bolivia and Nepal. EXCERPT The Le Tour ski station is served by the Charamillon-col de Balme lift systems. The skiing here is accessible, ‘user-friendly’ and good for all the family. For the more committed off-piste skier, there is also the descent to Les Jeurs in Switzerland on the north face, above Vallorcine. However, as with any area at the head of a valley, Le Tour is subject to frequent changes in the air currents and you should be aware of what they are doing if you are planning to ski the routes here. In fact, although Le Tour has an image as an area for relatively easy ‘moyenne montagne’ skiing, you should not underestimate the ever-present risks. The accumulation of snow that occurs as a direct result of these specific conditions is responsible, each year, for a number of accidents and avalanches. The high mountains that overlook this mixture of forests and pastures form the eastern extremity of the Mont Blanc Massif and it has been quite calm here since the snout of the glacier avalanched.

Download or read book Courmayeur Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles Rouges a Guide for Skiers written by Anselme Baud and published by Primento. This book was released on 2015-03-04 with total page 112 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discover the skiing downhills of the Courtmayeur Mountain in this very detailed and documented book, written by one of the most talented skiers of his generation. Located at the very heart of the highest mountains of Europe, the majestic Courtmayeur massif stands as a reference among the most sacred skiing places in the world. When winter comes, this snow-addict heaven offers a unique range of dream slopes, from the easiest to the most breathtakingly high ones. Anselme Baud is an extreme skiing leading head and one of the best experts of this mountain. From classic skiing hikes to mountaineering competitions, this guide book presents a precise description of all the biggest slopes this mythic area could offer. In this volume you can find all the information about Courmayeur. Thanks to his charming accounts and instructive advice, Anselme Baud shares with us his precious and wide experience as a high mountain guide and an exceptional skier. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born in Morzine in 1948, Anselme Baud left his mark on the Alps skiing steep slopes history. As a high mountain guide in 1973, he was one the first to ski on extreme downhills in the Alps, the Andes, in Antarctica or in the Himalayas. As an ENSA professor, he supervised during several years the mountain guides trainings in Bolivia and Nepal. EXCERPT The Italian part of the Mont Blanc Massif (Val Ferret and Val Veni) is home to some of the most imposing 4000m peaks in the Alps. While the Aiguille des Glaciers, Tre la Tête peaks and the Miage on the west face are great for skiing, few of the descents around Mont Blanc itself are regularly skied. Thanks to the relative ease of access to the Col du Géant there are numerous possible routes ranging from the Vallée Blanche to the magnificent, steep faces and couloirs nearby. To the east, on the Grandes Jorasses and on Mont Gruetta, there are a couple of major descents that are often skied. Finally, there is the Mont Dolent sector which forms the border with Switzerland and has a number of routes. Its altitude meant that the Col du Géant sector was a summer ski area until 1988.

Download or read book Switzerland written by Karl Baedeker (Firm) and published by . This book was released on 1922 with total page 868 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Tour du Mont Blanc written by Kingsley Jones and published by Vertebrate Publishing. This book was released on 2020-06-04 with total page 155 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Tour du Mont Blanc is the definitive guidebook for one of the most famous long-distance treks in the world. This trek circles the entire Mont Blanc massif, passing through spectacular scenery in France, Italy and Switzerland. You'll traverse high mountain passes, see stunning glaciers, pass azure lakes, wander through tranquil green valleys and alpine pastures, with snow-capped peaks visible above. Written by Tour du Mont Blanc expert Kingsley Jones, this guidebook includes unique customised timings to enable accurate itinerary planning for walkers, trekkers, fastpackers and trail runners, allowing you to plan your Tour du Mont Blanc at a pace to suit you. You'll find everything that you need to plan and undertake your Tour du Mont Blanc, including travel information, navigation, accommodation options, equipment and safety, food and drink, as well as useful extra information such as wild swimming locations and trekking tips. Together with amazing photography, the route includes clear and comprehensive directions, refreshments stops, accommodation and local points of interest, and is accompanied by bespoke 1:40,000-scale maps. Route variations are also included.

Download or read book G ant Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles Rouges a Guide for Skiers written by Anselme Baud and published by Primento. This book was released on 2015-03-04 with total page 96 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discover the skiing downhills of the Géant Mountain in this very detailed and documented book, written by one of the most talented skiers of his generation. Located at the very heart of the highest mountains of Europe, the majestic Géant massif stands as a reference among the most sacred skiing places in the world. When winter comes, this snow-addict heaven offers a unique range of dream slopes, from the easiest to the most breathtakingly high ones. Anselme Baud is an extreme skiing leading head and one of the best experts of this mountain. From classic skiing hikes to mountaineering competitions, this guide book presents a precise description of all the biggest slopes this mythic area could offer. In this volume you can find all the information about the Géant. Thanks to his charming accounts and instructive advice, Anselme Baud shares with us his precious and wide experience as a high mountain guide and an exceptional skier. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born in Morzine in 1948, Anselme Baud left his mark on the Alps skiing steep slopes history. As a high mountain guide in 1973, he was one the first to ski on extreme downhills in the Alps, the Andes, in Antarctica or in the Himalayas. As an ENSA professor, he supervised during several years the mountain guides trainings in Bolivia and Nepal. EXCERPT The Vallée Blanche forms the backbone of this area and it can be accessed quickly from the Aiguille du Midi, the starting point for routes on the Géant Glacier, the Tacul and the Périades. Unlike the routes in the previous chapter, most of the tours here can be done in a day and the height gains are not excessive (maximum of 900m). Also, in this part of the Massif there is a broad range of routes, and you will find steep slopes and classic tours next door to each other. For all these reasons, this is a very popular area. There are lots of people on the easy routes by the Aiguilles Marbrées and the Col d’Entrèves, while the Brèche Puiseux area is less popular, but also more and more amateur extreme skiers are trying routes on the Tour Ronde and the big couloirs on the Tacul (Diable, Gervasutti, Jager). However, these figures pale into insignificance compared with the hordes of skiers and boarders who can be found on the world-famous Vallée Blanche from the beginning of the winter right through to the end of May. Indeed, you feel the contrast most strikingly once, with skins on your skis, you start climbing up towards the less accessible routes...

Download or read book Argenti re Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles Rouges a Guide for Sskiers written by Anselme Baud and published by Primento. This book was released on 2015-03-04 with total page 98 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discover the skiing downhills of the Argentières Mountain in this very detailed and documented book, written by one of the most talented skiers of his generation. Located at the very heart of the highest mountains of Europe, the majestic Argentières massif stands as a reference among the most sacred skiing places in the world. When winter comes, this snow-addict heaven offers a unique range of dream slopes, from the easiest to the most breathtakingly high ones. Anselme Baud is an extreme skiing leading head and one of the best experts of this mountain. From classic skiing hikes to mountaineering competitions, this guide book presents a precise description of all the biggest slopes this mythic area could offer. In this volume you can find all the information about the Argentières. Thanks to his charming accounts and instructive advice, Anselme Baud shares with us his precious and wide experience as a high mountain guide and an exceptional skier. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born in Morzine in 1948, Anselme Baud left his mark on the Alps skiing steep slopes history. As a high mountain guide in 1973, he was one the first to ski on extreme downhills in the Alps, the Andes, in Antarctica or in the Himalayas. As an ENSA professor, he supervised during several years the mountain guides trainings in Bolivia and Nepal. EXCERPT The Argentière Basin is quite unique in the French Alps. From piste skiing to off-piste descents and ski-mountaineering tours, there is a fantastic selection of routes for all levels of skier on offer in this area. Freeriders and ski-tourers can take their pick of superb off-piste routes (Pas de Chèvre, Argentière Glacier...), the great couloirs (Chapeau, Poubelles...) and classic tours (Col du Chardonnet, Col du Passon...) and the big ‘extreme’ slopes (Courtes, Verte...). The Grands Montets is the starting point for the classic Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route and it also allows access to Switzerland, via the Col du Chardonnet. This means that some of the tours can be done in a day or you can do them in two stages by staying at the Argentière Hut. Unfortunately, the popularity of the Grands Montets ski station sometimes distracts a little from the splendour of the surrounding landscape as the crowds of visitors to the slopes sometimes show a certain lack of respect for the environment that welcomes them. Nevertheless, with a little bit of effort you can still find peace and quiet and, more importantly, slopes of untracked snow here.

Download or read book Insight Guides Great Railway Journeys of Europe Travel Guide eBook written by Insight Guides and published by Apa Publications (UK) Limited. This book was released on 2019-03-01 with total page 859 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Insight Guides: all you need to inspire every step of your journey. From deciding when to go, to choosing which routes to travel, this guide is all you need to plan your trip across Europe by rail, with in-depth insider information on the best journeys to make the most of this scenic continent. · Insight Guide Great Railway Journeys of Europe is ideal for travellers seeking immersive railway journeys across the continent · In-depth on the history of European train travel: enjoy special features on new technologies and station architecture, all written by local experts · Invaluable maps, train routes, travel tips and practical information ensure effortless planning, and encourage venturing off the beaten track · Inspirational colour photography throughout - Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books · Inventive design makes for an engaging and inspiring reading experience About Insight Guides: Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books, with almost 50 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides with user-friendly, modern design. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps, as well as phrase books, picture-packed eBooks and apps to meet different travellers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure.

Download or read book Eyewitness Travel Family Guide France written by DK and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2014-05-01 with total page 426 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: DK Eyewitness Travel Family Guide France, from the groundbreaking family travel series, is written by parents and guarantees the entire family will enjoy their trip to France. The guide also includes dedicated "Kids Corners" that feature cartoons, quizzes, puzzles, games, and riddles to inform, surprise, and entertain young travelers as they explore everything France has to offer. With child-friendly sleeping and eating options, detailed maps of main sightseeing areas, travel information, language tips, budget guidance, age range suitability, and activities for every area, DK Eyewitness Travel Family Guide France is the ultimate guide to stress-free family travel. Now available in PDF.

Download or read book Aiguilles rouges Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles Rouges a Guide for Skiers written by Anselme Baud and published by Primento. This book was released on 2015-03-04 with total page 93 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discover the skiing downhills of the Aiguilles rouges Mountain in this very detailed and documented book, written by one of the most talented skiers of his generation. Located at the very heart of the highest mountains of Europe, the majestic Aiguilles rouges massif stands as a reference among the most sacred skiing places in the world. When winter comes, this snow-addict heaven offers a unique range of dream slopes, from the easiest to the most breathtakingly high ones. Anselme Baud is an extreme skiing leading head and one of the best experts of this mountain. From classic skiing hikes to mountaineering competitions, this guide book presents a precise description of all the biggest slopes this mythic area could offer. In this volume you can find all the information about the Aiguilles rouges. Thanks to his charming accounts and instructive advice, Anselme Baud shares with us his precious and wide experience as a high mountain guide and an exceptional skier. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born in Morzine in 1948, Anselme Baud left his mark on the Alps skiing steep slopes history. As a high mountain guide in 1973, he was one the first to ski on extreme downhills in the Alps, the Andes, in Antarctica or in the Himalayas. As an ENSA professor, he supervised during several years the mountain guides trainings in Bolivia and Nepal. EXCERPT The Aiguilles Rouges chain could have suffered from being so close to its illustrious neighbour, the Mont Blanc Massif, but in fact the huge variety of routes on offer here means that the two ranges complement each other. From easy tours to narrow couloirs, from routes with easy access from ski lifts to numerous possible traverses, the Aiguilles Rouges is an integral part of the Mont Blanc region. Thanks to this ease of access and the great circuits that can be done in this area, this is also the starting point for trips heading north: to Sixt, Flaine and Les Portes du Soleil; or to the east and Switzerland: to the high limestone Alps via the Col de la Tour Salière and the Barberine cols; not forgetting, of course, the great routes on the Bel Oiseau, the Dent de Fenestral or Fontanabran between Finhaut and Les Marécottes. Moreover, this chain of crystalline rock (gneiss) also offers superb views of the whole of the Mont Blanc Massif, which are both breathtakingly beautiful and, more importantly, are a great opportunity for getting a look at routes for the future. The other advantage the Aiguilles Rouges has is that you can easily choose the best side of the chain to ski on, as the ski lifts and the pistes are all on the south side and the best descents are to be had on the ‘wild’ north side where the snow stays in excellent condition for a long time. The secondary ranges of the Perrons and Luisin-Emaney don’t have ski lifts and usually get skied at the beginning of the season, for road access to the Emosson Dam, as the snow cover is general better here (the area is near the very wet valleys of Haut Faucigny).

Download or read book Southern France written by Findlay Muirhead and published by . This book was released on 1926 with total page 630 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Little Ice Ages Vol1 Ed2 written by Jean M Grove and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2013-08-06 with total page 440 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: First published in 2004. Since The Little Ice Age was published in 1988, interest in climatic history has grown rapidly and research in the area has flourished. A vast amount of new data has become available from sources such as ice cores, speleothems and tree rings. The picture that we have of past climates and glacier oscillations has extended further into the past and has become more detailed. However, the knowledge of climate change on the decennial and centennial timescale, to which glacier history can contribute, is scarce and is in demand when attempting to predict future change, especially with regard to global warming. New chapters and material have been included throughout the book, which tend to confirm and elaborate on the conclusions of the first edition. The glacial evidence has been presented in the context of the oceanographic and icecap studies that have provided such exciting results. Little Ice Ages is structured in three parts: • Part 1 details the evidence for glacier variations in the last thousand years in different parts of the world and the associated climatic fluctuations. • Part 2 brings together the evidence for the timing of glacier variations in the course of the Holocene. • Part 3 views the Holocene record in a longer time context, especially as it appears in ice cores, and goes on to consider the likely causes of climatic variability on a Little Ice Age timescale and some of its physical, biological and human consequences. It becomes apparent in Little Ice Ages that the glacier record provides a valuable indication of the nature of climatic fluctuations on the land areas of the globe. The record points to periods of cooling which were more numerous and less continuous than was believed to be the case twenty years ago. There appears to be no single explanation for the variability. Volcanism, solar variability and ocean currents have all played their parts and prediction continues to present many problems. Some authorities have thrown doubt on the existence of the Little Ice Age, but Little Ice Ages makes the case for a climatic sequence that can usefully be called the Little Ice Age and which had predecessors occurring at intervals of several centuries throughout much of the last 10,000 years.

Download or read book Little Ice Ages written by Jean M. Grove and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2004 with total page 440 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Some were feisty and fiery. Others were cool and dangerous. All were incredibly courageous. Outrageous Women of The Middle Ages took on the challenge of their world—and didn't worry about ruffling a few feathers Among the outrageous women you'll meet are: Eleanor of Aquitaine—queen of France and later England, she led a group of women on the Second Crusade and created her own financial system Lady Murasaki Shikibu—besides being a wife and mother, she learned the "forbidden" language of Chinese and wrote the world's first novel Aud the Deep-Minded—a Viking wise woman and explorer who led her clan, grandchildren and all, on a risky voyage from Scotland to Iceland Hildegarde of Bingen—the German nun who, late in life, became a composer, a botanist, and founded convents Damia al-Kahina—a nomadic freedom fighter, skilled at peacemaking and war, who kept her North African homeland free