Khumbu: Gateway to Mount Everest Pathways to Kinship

(Hardback)

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Description

Ever since Edmund Hillary's ascent of Everest with Tenzing Norgay, New Zealanders have connected strongly with the mountainous Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. For over three decades, photographer Peter Laurenson has repeatedly visited Khumbu, the Nepalese gateway to Mount Everest and home to the Sherpa people. On his second visit, a chance meeting with a Sherpa family sparked a friendship that grew stronger as Laurenson brought his three sons, each in turn, to trek through this enchanted region. Accompanying this unfolding story of kinship are Laurenson's insights into Sherpa culture, the explosion of activity on Everest, and the changing nature of Khumbu as the area's popularity grew. Throughout, his striking photographs convey the essence of this remarkable land and its people.

Author Bio

A New Zealander based in Wellington, Peter Laurenson is father to Ben, Ed and Will and partner to Cathy. He is editor of the Federated Mountain Clubs' Backcountry and writes for Wilderness magazine and other publications. Peter had a career in marketing management, including periods with the New Zealand Tourism Board and the eco-sanctuary Zealandia. More recently, marketing work has taken a back seat to tramping, mountaineering, still photography and writing. Since his first backpacking trip away from New Zealand in 1988, Peter has visited many mountainous parts of the world, but none have had such an impact on him as Nepal. Peter's first book, published in 2013, was Occasional Climber: A Journey to Mount Clarity.