Tierra del Fuego: the Fatal Lodestone

Description

Published by Charles Knight, London & Tonbridge, 1973, 1st Edition, D/w (very slight nick bottom of front cover), illustrated by black-and-white photos, Nr. Fine.   Eric Earle Shipton (1907-1977) is considered to be one of the greatest mountain explorers of his generation.  With Frank Smythe, Shipton made the first ascent of Kamet in 1931, at 7,756 metres the highest peak climbed at the time.  In 1934, Shipton along with Bill Tilman and three Sherpas, Ang Tharkay, Kusang and Pasang, attempted Nanda Devi.  They were unsuccessful, but carried out one of the great pieces of mountain exploration, penetrating the Rishi Gorge to the Nanda Devi Sanctuary and hence opening the route for future expeditions.  He also took part in or led 3 Everest expeditions during the 1930s, and led the 1951 Everest Reconnaissance Expedition.  This volume, which is mainly about the culture and exploration of Tierra Del Fuego but includes a chapter on his first approach to Mount Burney, is one of his most elusive titles in its first edition.