NZ, 1969, 1st edition. 196 pp, illustrations. Biography of well known guide on Mt Cook. DJ, Fine.
The mountaineers of New Zealand have had a far greater impact on the mountaineering world than might be suggested by the country’s population size. This is because some of the finest and hardest climbing in the world is in the Southern Alps and particularly centered around Mount Cook (since 1998 known officially as Aoraki/Mount Cook.)
Anyone climbing in the area will be familiar with the settlement of Mount Cook Village (also known as The Hermitage) which serves as a tourist centre and base camp for the mountain. It is located 4 km from the head of the Tasman Glacier, 12 km south of Aoraki/Mount Cook's summit. In 1929 Mick Bowie applied for guide duties at the Hermitage. From then on Mount Cook dominated his life.
In those early days, the sport of mountaineering was only for the well to do, who indulged in it escorted by professional guides like Mick Bowie. From 1929 Mick Bowie worked his way from junior guide to Chief Guide and trainer of guides.
This book is a 40 year record of his service and covers the developing days of a great alpine resort and days of epic climbs, desperately hazard work and long stretches of grim enduarnce as well as moments of humour and friendships .
A very modest man, if it had been left to Mick nothing would have been written, and so his wife Nan Bowie has written this biography and fleshed out Mick’s few words with the memories of those who climbed with him and became his life long friends and admirers.
