Shirley Dehm Tharp

Shirley Dehm Tharp is the author of her first book: Solo to Seven Six More in the Wind: A Memoir of Kilimanjaro where she tells the tale of what it takes to carry six people to the Rooftop of Africa.

Originally from Maryland, she enjoyed living in Indiana, Virginia, Florida, Texas, and Georgia while raising her children. All six children are now young adults who live away from home. She has a three young granddaughters.

Shirley began her hiking adventures in 2013 in Bryson City, North Carolina while vacationing for summer break from teaching hgh school. She loved North Carolina so much, she purchased a 27-foot camper and lived in it for the next five summers.

While in North Carolina, she enjoyed numerous hiking, whitewater kayaking, and other recreational opportunities that could be found near the cozy, sleepy mountain campground where she lived.

Her faithful canine hiking companions, Murray and Munson, are always ready to get out on the trail and eagerly anticipate the next outing with drips of doggy drool and energetic barking.

Shirley currently resides with her husband in Western North Carolina.