Reviews

Interest in Mount Everest (called Chomolungma, or "Goddess Mother of the World," by the locals) and the surrounding high mountains of Nepal has placed enormous strain on both the physical environment and the people of the region. At any one time, thousands of foreigners are trekking and ascending the lesser peaks. Over 700 climbers have reached the summit of Everest itself, and it has become the sport of the wealthy. Permit fees run about $10,000 per person; most expeditions have base budgets beginning at $300,000. These groups, obviously well supplied, plus the many independent, low-budget travelers, leave behind massive amounts of litter and sometimes a shameful record of exploitation of their largely Sherpa porters. Douglas, a British climber and an editor of Climber magazine, reports skillfully on the two-edged sword of "adventure travel." Public libraries with books promoting trekking and climbing should balance their collections with this honest and disturbing look at its consequences.ÄHarold M. Otness, Southern Oregon Univ. Lib., Ashland Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.