Tommy Caldwell of Yosemite free-climb fame writing memoir

NEW YORK (AP) — Rock climber Tommy Caldwell, who made history earlier this year with a free-climb in Yosemite National Park, has a book deal.

Viking Penguin announced Tuesday that it has acquired the 37-year-old Caldwell’s memoir “Push” and plans to release the book in 2017.

Caldwell and partner Kevin Jorgeson in January became the first people to free climb the 3,000 foot Dawn Wall of Yosemite’s El Capitan. They spent 19 days scaling the wall, using only their hands and feet to propel themselves up the sheer granite wall that has long been considered the world’s most difficult climb.

Viking Penguin says Caldwell’s book will tell of his lifelong passion for climbing and of the many obstacles he overcame, including losing his left index finger.