Fantastic Fifth-Courting Diamond of Snow

COURTING THE DIAMOND SNOW. A white water expedition on Tibet’s forbidden river. By Wickliffe W. Walker. Pp. 253, 12 colour photos, 1 map, 2000. (Adventure Press, National Geographic, Washington DC, $ 14).

HELL OR HIGHWATER. Surviving Tibet’s Tsangpo river. By Peter Heller. Pp. 278, 2004. (Plume, New York, $ 15).

The Tsangpo gorge in Tibet was subject of exploration for several years. Now, as much is known about the gorge, the rafting and kayak adventurers are attracted to descend this most formidable river. Both these books narrates the adventure of different teams who descended this gorge. The first one was a pioneering expedition in 2000 sponsored by the National Geographic, which produced the well-known film on the same trip.

THE FANTASTIC FIFTH. A history of the oldest Indian infantry brigade. By Col. Anil Shorey, (Retd).Pp. 252, , 6 b/w and 36 colour photos, 4 maps, 2005. (Force Multipliers, New Delhi, Rs. 495).

The Fifth Brigade of the Indian army guards Subansiri and the Tsangpo (Siang) valleys from India. The book narrates the experiences of war and guarding the area, where many mountaineers would love to go. The books offers much useful information, describes historical routes, narrates battles and offers understanding about the difficulties of such an area. The valleys of upper Siang (the Tsangpo), Menchuka and pilgrim routes to Takpa Siri are covered.