Chessler Books
Rock Climbing - Mountaineering - Exploration
New - Used - Collectible - Signed
Chessler Books Accepts PAYPAL Chessler Books Accepts VISA Chessler Books Accepts MASTERCARD Chessler Books Accepts DISCOVER CARD Chessler Books Accepts AMERICAN EXPRESS
All Orders Shipped via United States Postal Service   Chessler Books Ships Via USPS
Author:
Title:
Keyword:
Item #:
A B C D E F G H I
J K L M Mc N O P Q
R S T U V W X Y Z
Item #: BK4825-8432
HEADSTRAP: LEGENDS AND LORE FROM THE CLIMBING SHERPAS OF DARJEELING Balsavar and Purandare 2024 1st ed New Multiple copies available. Banff Book Award Winner - Mountain Literature of The Jon Whyte Award.
By Balsavar, Deepa and Nandini Purandare
Price: $29.95


Add to wish list


Detailed Product Description
USA, 2024, 1st edition. 320 pp. Large Trade Paperback, New (only edition). 

This captivating chronicle delves into the untold story of a tribe of Nepalese people who lived in Darjeeling and have played a significant role in mountain exploration and climbing in the Himalayas. Situated in northern India, Darjeeling was developed as a colonial retreat by the British in the early 1830s and soon became famous for its tea gardens, attracting locals from around the region, Nepal, and Tibet in search of work. 

When Darjeeling became the jumping-off point for early Himalayan expeditions, workers from the Sherpa and Bhutia communities soon established themselves as the preferred high-altitude porters, bringing fame, entwined with tales of valor, courage, and sacrifice, to the city. These are some of their stories.

Over the course of a decade, authors Nandini Purandare and Deepa Balsavar conducted a series of interviews with Sherpas from Darjeeling, as well as their family members, descendants, friends, and contemporary climbers. Headstrap weaves a vivid tapestry of this particular Sherpa community, giving them the recognition in mountaineering literature that they deserve.



A Note on Headstraps
All across Darjeeling and Nepal, porters can be seen carrying heavy loads secured by straps across the head. Officially called tumplines, these are known locally as headstraps, or namlo. During Himalayan climbing’s early decades, all loads were carried using the headstrap. Even today, porters carry loads up to basecamp this way.

There is no single origin story for the headstrap. Traditionally, it could be a strip of leather, fabric, or rope that was knotted, looped, or buckled around a load and worn across the top of the head. Although this technique is found in almost every culture, Sherpas are probably the most famous headstrap users today, using it to carry loads as heavy as their own body weight. Even when offered modern packs, they often prefer their cane baskets, called doko, secured with the simple strap.

Headstraps are known to be ergonomically efficient and physically healthy. They enable weight to be distributed evenly down the back and allow for lung expansion without restriction, unlike backpacks, which often restrict the chest. However, using them safely and comfortably requires years of training and spine strengthening.

About the Authors
Nandini Purandare is editor of The Himalayan Journal, a recognized global authority on the Himalaya. With a background in economics, Purandare has consulted for various organizations and is an enthusiastic trekker and reader of mountain literature. Visit them online at himalayanclub.org.

A well-known illustrator and storyteller, Deepa Balsavar has created more than 30 award-winning children’s books. Balsavar is an adjunct professor at IDC, the Design School, IIT Bombay. Visit them online at himalayanclub.org.

From Banff Book Award Winner:  Mountain Literature  - The Jon Whyte Award.

A phenomenal feat of oral history that sheds light on the historically overlooked role of Darjeeling Sherpas in developing the mountain exploration and climbing culture that has come to define the Himalayan region. Recognizing their valour and strength of spirit, body, and mind, Headstrap gives these awe-inspiring figures their due. Purandare and Balsavar have made a pivotal contribution to the realm of climbing literature with this painstakingly researched and passionately curated book.
– Gloria Dickie, 2024 Book Competition Jury


Other Items You Might Like

  • Similar Items Available
  • Items From This Author
  • Items From This Category
ALPINE RISING: SHERPAS, BALTIS AND THE TRIUMPH OF LOCAL CLIMBERS IN THE GREATER RANGES 2024 1st ed Hc New SIGNED by Bernadette McDonald Multiple copies are available Banff Book Awaed Winner: Mountain Literature - The Jon Whyte Award
By: McDonald, Bernadette
Price $34.95
- Item # BK4801-84315
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
ALPINE JOURNAL 100s OF INDIVIDUAL ISSUES LISTED HERE! PAPERBACK, WRAPPERS or HARDCOVER ISSUES 1863-1986
By: Alpine Club UK
Price $10.00
- Item # JR207B
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
SUMMIT MAGAZINE USA BACK ISSUES 1960s: This List is of Available Issues betyween 1960-1969
By: Summit Magazine
Price $10.00 ~ Regular $20.00, You Save $10.00 (50%)
- Item # JR154J-868
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
ALPINIST MAGAZINE ISSUE 70 Summer 2020
By: ALPINIST MAGAZINE Issue 70
Price $14.95 ~ Regular $35.00, You Save $20.05 (57%)
- Item # JR203-70-936
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
LIFE AND DEATH ON MOUNT EVEREST: SHERPAS AND HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINEERING Sherry Ortner 1999 1st ed Hardcover DJ Fine 2 Copies Available
By: Ortner, Sherry
Price $19.95 ~ Regular $30.00, You Save $10.05 (33%)
- Item # BK1140A-8392
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
LIFE AND DEATH ON MOUNT EVEREST: SHERPAS AND HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINEERING Sherry Ortner 1999 1st ed Hardcover DJ Fine SIGNED by Sherry Ortner
By: Ortner, Sherry
Price $45.00
- Item # BK1140B-839
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
SUMMIT MAGAZINE USA BACK ISSUES 1990s: 1990-1995 See This List of Available Issues
By: Summit Magazine
Price $10.00 ~ Regular $20.00, You Save $10.00 (50%)
- Item # JR154A-868
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
GREAT DAYS IN THE ROCKIES: THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF BYRON HARMON 1906-1934 [CANADA] Byron Harmon 1978 1st ed Hardcover DJ Fine
By: Harmon, Byron and Carole Harmon (Editor)
Price $24.99 ~ Regular $50.00, You Save $25.01 (50%)
- Item # OP982-850
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
HERO OF EVEREST TENZING: A BIOGRAPHY OF TENZING NORGAY Ed Douglas 2003 1st ed Hardcover DJ Fine Multiple copies available
By: Douglas, Ed
Price $19.99 ~ Regular $45.00, You Save $25.01 (56%)
- Item # BK1876-8485
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
HERO OF EVEREST TENZING: A BIOGRAPHY OF TENZING NORGAY Ed Douglas 2003 1st ed Hardcover DJ Near Fine Multiple copies available [Not signed]
By: Douglas, Ed
Price $9.99 ~ Regular $45.00, You Save $35.01 (78%)
- Item # BK1876-8445
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
Sorry, we were unable find any similar items available by this author.


MUSTANG: THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM: EXPLORING A LOST HIMALAYAN LAND Michel Peissel 1967 Hardcover DJ Fine
By: Peissel, Michel
Price $9.99 ~ Regular $35.00, You Save $25.01 (71%)
- Item # OP612B-835
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
THE ASCENT OF DHAULAGIRI Max Eiselin 1961 1st edition DJ Very Fine
By: Eiselin, Max
Price $75.00 ~ Regular $200.00, You Save $125.00 (62%)
- Item # OP520B-835
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
ANTARCTICA: BOTH HEAVEN AND HELL 1991 1st ed Hardcover DJ Fine [Not signed]
By: Messner, Reinhold
Price $39.99 ~ Regular $150.00, You Save $110.01 (73%)
- Item # PL1044B-844
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
SNOW IN THE KINGDOM: MY STORM YEARS ON EVEREST 2000 1st ed Hardcover DJ Fine INSCRIBED by Ed Webster
By: Webster, Ed
Price $29.95 ~ Regular $129.99, You Save $100.04 (77%)
- Item # BK1661C-8613
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
THE CLIMBERS: A HISTORY OF MOUNTAINEERING Chris Bonington 1992 1st UK ed Hardcover SIGNED by Chris Bonington Only one copy available.
By: Bonington, Chris
Price $135.00
- Item # OP439B-844
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
THE DUTCH AT THE NORTH POLE AND THE DUTCH IN MAINE J. Watts de Peyster 1857 Hardcover Fine
By: de Peyster, J. Watts
Price $49.99 ~ Regular $100.00, You Save $50.01 (50%)
- Item # PL6328-883
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
HOCHGEBIRGSWANDERUNGEN IN ALPEN UND IM KAUKASUS [HIGH MOUNTAIN HIKES IN THE ALPS AND CAUCASUS] Andreas Fischer 1913 Hardcover Fine 2 Copies Available Slipcase
By: Fischer, Andreas
Price $4.99 ~ Regular $49.95, You Save $44.96 (90%)
- Item # OP6396-9542
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
ANTARCTICA UN DESAFIO PERENTORIO [Antarctica: An Urgent Challenge] Javier Lopetegui Torres 1986 Paperback Near Fine-Fine 2 Copies Available
By: Torres, Javier Lopetegui
Price $4.99 ~ Regular $99.95, You Save $94.96 (95%)
- Item # PL6437-9602
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
HERO OF EVEREST TENZING: A BIOGRAPHY OF TENZING NORGAY Ed Douglas 2003 1st ed Hardcover DJ Near Fine Multiple copies available [Not signed]
By: Douglas, Ed
Price $9.99 ~ Regular $45.00, You Save $35.01 (78%)
- Item # BK1876-8445
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart
ACROSS EAST AFRICAN GLACIERS: AN ACCOUNT OF THE FIRST ASCENT OF KILIMANJARO Hans Meyer 1891 1st UK edition Very Good+
By: Meyer, Dr. Hans
Price $2995.00 ~ Regular $5000.00, You Save $2005.00 (40%)
- Item # OP448-843
View Details
Add To Cart
Adding...
Added! Click To View Cart