"In Gorge, Kara Richardson Whitely takes us where few have dared to go before . . ." —Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild

Kara Richardson Whitely knew she could reach the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. She had done it once before. That’s why, when she failed in a second attempt, it brought her so low. As she struggled with food addiction and looked for ways to cope with feelings of failure and shame, Kara's weight shot to 360 pounds. Deep in her gorge, Kara realized the only way out was up. She resolved to climb the mountain again and this time, she would reach the summit without waiting for her plus-sized status to disappear.

Gorge: My 300-Pound Journey Up Kilimanjaro is the raw story of Kara’s ascent from the depths of self-doubt to the top of the world. Her difficult but inspiring journey speaks to every woman who has struggled with her self-image or felt that food was controlling her life. Honest and unforgettable, Kara’s journey is one of intense passion, endurance, and self-acceptance. In Gorge, Kara shows that big women can do big things.