Tibet's Secret Mountain: The Triumph Of Sepu Kangri

by Chris Bonington, Charles Clarke

An account of the adventures of Chris Bonington, Charles Clarke and their team, as they explore a mountain range in Tibet. The highest peak, the Sepu Kangri, is 22,802 feet high. In place of maps, Bonington and Clarke had to ask the way to "the Great Snow Mountain by the Sacred Lake".

Genres: Nonfiction, Mountaineering, Adventure, Asia, Travel

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Chris Bonington was educated at University College School, London and the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. He was commissioned in the Royal Tank Regiment in 1956. He spent three years in North Germany in command of a troop of tanks and then two years at the Army Outward Bound School as a mountaineering instructor.It was during this period that he started climbing in the Alps, making the first British ascent of the South West Pillar of the Drus in 1958 and then the first ascent of the Central Pillar of Freney on the south side of Mont Blanc in 1961 with Don Whillans, Ian Clough and the Pole, Jan Dlugosz. At that time this was one of the most difficult climbs in the Alps and even today is considered one of the great classics of the Mont Blanc region.He made the first British ascent of the North Wall of the Eiger in 1962.

Reviews

[Georgina Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the very first page Bonnington hooks you with incredible imagery and alive descriptions of the feeling of the time. His love and excitement for the mountains oozes off the page and the passion just makes you want to read more.

Combined with the history and immense detail provided by Charles Clarke, the character, culture and importance of the area is extremely vivd and makes you feel as though you could have been there yourself. A great insight into planning and expedition as it was done, with some of the prose to remind you the world is no longer as it was either.

It's a truly wonderful first hand account of an epic and inspiring journey through alternating accounts. Tibet's Secret Mountain is engaging, interesting, and a delight to read. Brilliant for those interested in mountaineering and exploration, but also just good storytelling.

[Stacey Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Always like to read a mountaineering book whilst on holiday, particularly enjoyed the medical aspects of this one told from the viewpoint of the doctor in the team.