2003 [1902]. 185 pp, color plates. A new reprint of a scarce and desirable book contains a detailed account of Collie's expedition to Nanga Parbat in 1895 with Mummery and Bruce, when Mummery was lost in an avalanche. His pioneering climbs in Skye, the Canadian Rockies and other areas are also covered. Paperback.
From the Himalaya to Skye is Norman Collie's own account of one of the most remarkable mountaineering expeditions ever undertaken, the 1895 attempt on Nanga Parbat. This was the first attempt on a Himalayan 8000m peak. Collie's book also includes his tales of other climbs around the globe, from the Canadian Rockies to the Cuillins in Skye.
In 1895 Collie, Mummery and Hastings turned their backs on the Alps as being too overcrowded and set off to climb Nanga Parbat, a Himalayan giant and sixth highest mountain in the world. Their incredible lightweight expedition was decades ahead of its time, but they still managed to reach a height of over 21,000 feet before they were forced to retreat.
Unfortunately, the attempt ended in disaster, when Mummery and two Ghurkas were killed by an avalanche, the first of Nanga Parbat's many victims. The second part of From the Himalaya to Skye gives Collie's account of his climbs in many other mountain ranges, including the Canadian Rockies, the Lofotens in Arctic Norway, the Alps, rock climbing in Wasdale in the Lake District and of course the Cuillins in Skye.
For anyone interested in the first serious Himalayan mountaineering expedition, or indeed any of Collie's other exploits, this book is a must-have.
Royalties from the book will be donated to the John Muir Trust.
CONTENTS LISTING
PART 1: THE 1895 EXPEDITION TO NANGA PARBAT
Chapter 1: General History Of Mountaineering In The Himalaya
Chapter 2: Our Journey Out To Nanga Parbat
Chapter 3: The Rupal Nullah
Chapter 4: First Journey To Diamirai Nullah And The Diamirai Pass
Chapter 5: Second Journey To Diamirai Nullah And Ascent To 21,000 Feet
Chapter 6: Ascent Of The Diamirai Peak
Chapter 7: Attempt To Ascend Nanga Parbat
Chapter 8: The Indus Valley And Third Journey To Diamirai Nullah
PART 2: CLIMBING ON OTHER RANGES
Chapter 9: The Canadian Rocky Mountains
Chapter 10: The Alps
Chapter 11: The Lofoten Islands
Chapter 12: A Chuilionn (Skye)
Chapter 13: The Mountains Of Ireland
Chapter 14: Prehistoric Climbing Near Wastdale Head
Chapter 15: A Reverie
Chapter 16: The Oromaniacal Quest (Tower Ridge)
Chapter 17: Fragment From A Lost Manuscript.
Chapter 18: Notes On The Himalayan Mountains
Epilogue
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
J. Norman Collie (1859-1942) was one of the finest mountaineers Britain has ever produced. Best remembered for his climbs in Skye (including the famous Cioch) and the first winter ascent of Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis; Collie also made numerous first ascents across the world including Mount Athabasca in Canada as well as the first attempt on Nanga Parbat.
