Tibetan Trek

by Ronald Kaulback

This is one of the earliest accounts of life in the Lohit Valley and this period in January 1933 is a rare description of the indigenous tribes of Assam in the early part of the century. As we travel with the author through the North-Eastern part of India a way of life about which very little is still known is brought alive before us. In a simple and attractive narrative, the minute details of the life and culture of a little studied peoples is brought before us and in the manner of a classical travelogue one is transported to another world.

Genres: Travel

Hardcover

First published August 1, 1934

About the author

Ronal Kaulabk, full name Ronald John Henry Kaulback (23 July 1909 – 1995) was a British explorer, botanist and geographer. He was the son of Colonel H. A. Kaulback and had a younger brother Roy (known as Bill). After studying at the University of Cambridge and learning surveying at the Royal Geographical Society he accompanied Frank Kingdon-Ward on an expedition to Tibet. For political reasons he was forbidden to continue on the second part of that journey so he, Brooks Carrington and some others set out on a route by Fort Hertz and Burma which included crossing the Diphuk La and after travelling at the worst season reached Fort Hertz. He travelled in Burma, Nepal and Tibet.

Kaulback wrote in defence of the possible existence of the Yeti, having seen what he took to be large footprints while attempting to locate the source of the Salween River.

Reviews

[Griffin_carruthers · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the style of a travel journal, this book focuses on observations from Ronald Kaulback's colonial era trek through isolated valleys and mountains in North East India & Tibet, and then down into Burma. The language and sentiments through the book are often honest and frank, a reflection of a time when the British Empire expanded far and wide. They were jolly good old chaps.
Kaulback was a young man in his early twenties when he undertook this exciting journey through some breathtaking landscapes in a foreign land. Throughout the book Kaulback displays avid admiration for the experienced trek leader, the famous British botanist Frank Kingdon-Ward. Kingdon-Ward (who writes the introduction to this book) later carries on his journey further into Tibet, whilst the author and a fellow compatriot head back towards Burma with their large entourage of Coolies. From this point, the absence of the experienced leader, and the gradual wear and tear from the trek (lack of dietary sustenance, inadequate rest and sanitation, and a plethora of blood-thirsty creepy crawlies to boot) burden a heavy toll on the traveller's health, challenging them with a hard slog to get to the finish line.
Tibetan Trek is informative from a geographical perspective, and with some cultural observations from the Asian sub-continent provides a vivid snapshot of attitudes and customs in the 1930's.

[Daren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good read, but not the most enthralling of adventures.