Nanda Devi: A Journey to the Last Sanctuary [Hardcover]

Hugh Thomson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

Surrounded by 20,000 foot peaks which effectively seal off the mountain at their center, the Nanda Devi Sanctuary was virtually impenetrable. But in 1934 Eric Shipton and Bill Tilman made the first of their great Himalayan expeditions by forcing a way up the river gorge. In 2000, the Sanctuary was entered for one single visit. Hugh Thomson was offered a place on this unique expedition led by Eric Shipton's son, John Shipton and the great Indian mountaineer, Colonel Kumar. This journey forms the basis of the book. Woven through it are all the amazing stories that surround the mountain—a powerful blend of myths and politics.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Thomson tells a story that has to do with politics, ecology and history, as much as with the strenuous adventure in a beautiful setting that his book so vividly celebrates.' INDEPENDENT (9.4.04) 'NANDA DEVI is...a spirited homage to a remote, awesome landscape. Rich in detail and light of tone, it teases its stories out slowly and gently and, by playing down the physical discomforts, will make non-climbers wants to travel to the Sanctuary.' -- Chris Moss TELEGRAPH (24.4.04) 'Thomson has a nose for stories...[And] the photographs in Hugh Thomson's book...picture the sensational and, yes, holy landscape in which all the events he describes took place.' -- Geoffrey Moorhouse GUARDIAN (24.4.04) 'fascinating.' -- Joe Pontin BRISTOL EVENING POST (17.4.04) 'Gripping.' GOOD BOOK GUIDE (1.5.04) 'the book offers...a welcome escape to somewhere rare and wonderful.' SUNDAY TIMES (9.5.04) 'This book eloquently lays out the often bizarre, and always interesting history of this remote area and its explorers, as well as charting the author's own expedition into the sanctuary...Informative, yet never dry, the book offers an insight into place of near mythical status and takes the reader where they will never have the chance to go.' ADVENTURE TRAVEL (1.5.04) 'Thomson weaves the story of his own journey to this Himalayan lost Eden with accounts of earlier expeditions, to give a tantalizing glimpse of this fragile, harshly beautiful place.' GLOBAL (May '04) 'fascinating.' WANDERLUST (June/July '04) 'Thomson effortlessly blends his own experiences and anecdotes from his fellow team members with tales of expeditions past, providing an all-encompassing picture of both the beauty and history of the sanctuary...Thomson's engaging and descriptive style drawns you in, imparting a burning desire to pull on a pair of hiking boots and join him for even the post terrifying of traverses.' GEOGRAPHICAL (October)

From the Publisher

Until 1934, the hidden valley of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, on the border between India and Tibet, had never been entered by man. Surrounded by 20,000–foot peaks, which seal off Mt. Nanda Devi at their center, it was virtually impenetrable. The many early explorers who were drawn there by the idea of a “lost Eden” could only gaze down with longing. But Eric Shipton and Bill Tilman, the “terrible twins” of prewar mountaineering, solved the problem by forcing an entrance up a precipitous river gorge. Subsequent expeditions were beset by tragedy, and concern for the fragile ecology of the Sanctuary finally led the Indian government to ban all visitors. The Sanctuary was re–opened briefly in 2000 for a special millennial expedition, of which Hugh Thomson was a part. Here, he weaves the story of his own journey together with those who have gone before him. Hugh Thomson, an award–winning filmmaker, has led several expeditions to the Peruvian Andes, which he recorded in his highly acclaimed work The White Rock: An Exploration of the Inca Heartland. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 134 pages
• Publisher: Orion Publishing (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0297607537
• ISBN-13: 978-0297607533
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,874,697 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hugh Thomson believes strongly that the world is not as explored as we like to suppose.

His most recent book is 'Tequila Oil', a memoir about travelling through the badlands of Mexico when he was 18.

He has led several research expeditions to Peru looking for - and finding - Inca ruins, which he has written about in an acclaimed pair of books, 'The White Rock' and 'A Sacred Landscape'.

His journey to a usually inaccessible part of the Himalayas on the border of Tibet is described in 'Nanda Devi: A Journey to the Last Sanctuary'.

See www.thewhiterock.co.uk for more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Potpourri Journey, August 31, 2008

By 

K. C. Huseonica "Karen & Art Huseonica" (Maryland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nanda Devi: A Journey to the Last Sanctuary (Hardcover)

Thomson has given us one story of a mountain; a story of friendships, adventure, and the real world of people and the politics and beliefs that make the world fascinating, but at times troubling. The cultural lessons of the locals (India) and of the participants were very intriguing.

Written in a straight forward manner, keeping our interest but not making the read a job with complicated plots and subplots.

Recommended to us by someone not interested in mountain adventures, but who never the less enjoyed the book.

Includes color and b/w photos.

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book, July 27, 2011

By 

Jayanth - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nanda Devi: A Journey to the Last Sanctuary (Paperback)

Once in a while you come across a nice travel write with good detailing. This is one of those books, it captures your imagination and inspires you to go visit Nanda Devi