The shortlist for this year’s Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature has been announced. It features six books, including several by familiar authors.
Bernadette McDonald’s Alpine Rising: Sherpas, Baltis, and the Triumph of Local Climbers in the Greater Ranges focuses on the underappreciated roles played by Nepali and Pakistani climbers, especially on the future of high-altitude endeavors.
Behind Everest: Ruth Mallory’s Story, by Kate Nicholson, weaves Ruth Mallory’s personal struggles and contributions into the often-murky history of women in early 20th-century mountaineering.
Clive Oppenheimer’s Mountains of Fire: The Secret Lives of Volcanoes explores the intricate relationship between volcanoes and humanity.
Headstrap: Legends and Lore from the Climbing Sherpas of Darjeeling, by Nandini Purandari and Deepa Balsavar, offers a captivating glimpse into the lives of the legendary mountaineers who populate the “Kathmandu of India.”
David Smart’s latest book, Royal Robbins: The American Climber details Robbins’ journey from a troubled upbringing to a legendary climber.
A Fine Line: Searching for Balance Among Mountains, by Graham Zimmerman, is an introspective account of the challenges faced by modern alpinists.
