The last 90 years have been a glorious period in Himalayan exploration. As explorers from across the globe have attempted to discover the Himalaya, the Himalayan Club has played a pioneering role in chronicling their expeditions for posterity. The accompanying maps, from the Himalayan Journal, are a historical treasure capturing various facets of exploration over time. Legendary explorations like Shipton and Tilman's route into Nanda Devi Sanctuary, Maurice Herzog's Annapurna ascent - the first to scale an 8,000m peak - and Sir Chris Bonington's exploring routes to Menluntse continue to arouse fascination to this day.

The last decade or two have witnessed fascinating explorations - trails to complete the century-old quest to trace the route of the mighty Brahmaputra river by Harish Kapadia, exploring the unknown Kunzang valley by Group Capt. V.K. Sashindran, ascents and accident on Panch Chuli by A.V. Saunders and an ascent of Nilkanth by the west ridge by Martin Moran and many others. With some of the routes and climbs documented here yet to be repeated, this book is a tribute to the rich history of exploration and a treasure trove for aficionados.
Legendary Maps from the Himalayan Club, Harish Kapadia (editor), Roli Books, Hardcover, 240 pp. $34.95