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

'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) ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

'the book offers...a welcome escape to somewhere rare and wonderful.' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

'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.' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

'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.' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

'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.' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

'fascinating.' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Until 1934 the Nanda Devi Sanctuary had never been visited by human beings. Surrounded by 20,000 foot peaks which effectively seal off the mountain at their centre it is virtually impenetrable. But in 1934 Eric Shipton and Bill Tilman solved the problem in the first of their great Himalayan expeditions by forcing a way up the river gorge. The onset of war meant that the Sanctuary remained un-visited for many years and it was then closed to travellers for political reasons. After a brief period in the seventies when it was opened for expeditions the Indian Government again closed the Sanctuary. 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.

Hugh Thomson read English at Cambridge University and worked briefly as a lecturer at Bristol University before becoming a film-maker.His films for television include the BBC's Great Journeys series about Cortez's invasion of Mexico and a series on India presented by William Dalrymple.