1876 Mountaineering - HIMALAYA - FORBIDDEN TIBET

Title: Mountaineering in the Himalaya.

Publisher: London: Blackwood's, 1876

Notes & Condition:    An engaging 19th century essay examines the progress of exploration in the Himalayas, also remarking on the obstacles of stepping beyond the British frontier in a time when entrance to Tibet was forbidden, making it that much more covetable. Includes details of expedition preparations, thrilling perilous climbs, fragile political relations with Bhutan, and other critical considerations. The author further comments on Hooker's survey of previously unexplored regions, and his now famous title, 'Himalayan Journals', which was dedicated to Charles Darwin. Narrative is 24 pages. These are the original pages printed in 1876, in excellent condition, attractively bound booklet style in modern blue paper covers with label.

The author draws information and passages from the following contemporary titles, deeming the authors' achievements worthy of special recognition in the mountaineering community.

"From the Hebrides to the Himalayas" by Miss Constance F. Gordon Cumming
"The Indian Alps, and how we Crossed them" by a Lady Pioneer
"The Abode of Snow. Observations on a Journey from Chinese Thibet to the Indian Caucasus through the Upper Valley of the Himalaya" by Andrew Wilson
"Kashmir and Kashgar" by H. W. Bellew

At the time of this account, admission of foreigners into Tibet was rather tenuous. The British Empire was encroaching from northern India into the Himalayas and Afghanistan and the Russian Empire of the tsars was expanding south into Central Asia and each power became suspicious of intent in Tibet. By the 1850s Tibet had banned all foreigners from entering its borders. In 1865 Great Britain began secretly mapping Tibet. Trained Indian surveyor-spies disguised as pilgrims or traders counted their strides on their travels across Tibet and took readings at night.