himalayan campaign

This exciting tale of the first two German expeditions to Kangchenjunga brings vividly to life the conditions of life in the subcontinent at the time. At this time, India was part of British Empire, but this was not an obstacle for the German team. Not only does the author describe the actual climbing, he also depicts the necessities of life such as shopping for fruit in the crowded bazxaars, and choosing expedition staff from among hundreds of young hopefuls. When the successful staff were paid an advance, they passed it on immediately to their wives; an early form of women’s Liberation? The female porters demanded their own tent , and were given one “which was bound to rejoice every woman’s heart. It was beautiful, white, lofity, and bore a magnificent coat of arma.” Full of wonderful old balck-and-white photographs,it paints an enticing picture of the Himalaya of the 1929-1931 era, before another world war shattered the fragile peace of our unstable planet.