Himalaya – The Exploration and Conquest of the Greatest Mountains on Earth

At some 1500 miles long and 250 miles at its widest the Himalaya range is home
to the fourteen greatest mountain peaks on the planet each of which towers
over 8,000 metres. Celebrated by the region’s early ancient kingdoms, many of
these peaks remain sacred in both the Hindu and Buddhist religions and have
additionally inspired western explorers and adventurers for some 300 years.

Himalaya examines the geographical origins of the region, its earliest peoples
and the onward western discovery and exploration commencing with the Jesuits,
progressing through myriad nineteenth century gentlemen surveyors, culminating
in Edmund Hilary and Tensing Norgay’s ascent of Everest in 1953 and continuing
to the present day with extreme mountaineers and adventure tourists.

However the book does not solely deal with the attempts to summit the majestic
Everest. Its broader brief, and chronological structure, allows the inclusion
of narrative and journal extracts from the equally heroic pioneering ascents
of Himalayan peaks including K2 (1954), Nanga Parbat (1953), Annapurna (1950),
Kangchenjunga (1955), and Lhotse (1956) as well as subsequent new frontiers,
peaks, routes and mountaineering techniques.

The volume includes specially commissioned pieces where legendary climbers
reflect on their intrepid experiences and heroism on the highest mountains on
earth. These accounts are set beside stunning commissioned cartography,
historical photographs, newly shot stills of ephemera and artefacts as well as
the most recent Himalayan work from some of the world’s leading adventure
photographers.