Under a Sheltering Sky: Journeys to Mountain Heartlands

Monteath is one of New Zealand's best known photographers and writers specialising in the world's polar and mountain regions. A mountaineer for 35 years, Colin has taken part in mountaineering and trans-alpine expeditions on every continent. Among his many ascents in New Zealand he lists 13 climbs of Aoraki (Mount Cook), including the notorious Caroline Face and the first winter ascent of the East Ridge. He has spent 26 seasons working in Antarctica and has climbed numerous new routes on the continent. In 1988, he became the first New Zealander to ascend Vinson Massif, Antarctica's highest peak. This beautiful work presents a rich variety of selections from Colin’s expeditions since 1993. Mountaineers can follow his expeditions to the highest peaks of Mongolia, on the first ascent of Chongtar (7300m), and on two expeditions to high, almost unvisited ranges in Tibet. Skiers will delight in a month-long traverse in Alaska of Denali, a ski reconnaissance of Tibet's Kangri Garpo Range - and two ski touring journeys in New Zealand's Southern Alps - the famous Routeburn Track and a circuit of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. There are also traverses in the polar regions - a crossing of South Georgia following Sir Ernest Shackleton's route and a traverse of Greenland by dog team. Other chapters focus on trans-alpine treks in Nepal and Bhutan. In Tibet, Colin undertook a journey in the footsteps of the legendary climber George Mallory that probed some of Everest's best-kept secrets. This is a rich book with stunning photos.