Explorers' and Travellers' Tales

This is another of my relatively obscure finds from a second hand bookshop, which in this case, cost me $5.
It is simple in premise, being six short stories by well known travellers / authors, published as an anthology. My interest was immediate in seeing such a renowned collection of names. Below I have provided a short summary of each story. It is fairly heavily weighted to mountaineering, with 4 of the 6 featuring mountaineering or time in Tibet.
Published in 1958, the stories generally take place well before this time.

Memories of a Mountain Land by Sir John Hunt
Exploring from Sikkim into the Indian Himalaya in 1932. Hunt, his wife and CR Cooke planned to spend time around Kanchenjunga, to reconnoitre a new route for a future climb, and make a general assessment on climbing conditions after the monsoon which would influence the plans of future expeditions attempting the ascent of Everest. Amongst other places, they visit the Tibetan frontier.
3.5 stars.

Kaokoveld Wilderness by John Brown
John Brown's story starts with a departure from London on a ship to South Africa. His goal, with his wife is an expedition through the Namib Desert to survey the availability of water for agricultural ambitions. Wells and distillation plants were a part of his plans, before heading further north to the Kaokoveld. Really it ends up being a summary of all seen and experienced in their travels.
2.5 stars.

Tibetan Jaunt by Ella Maillart
Maillart tells of some months spent with an English (female) friend,travelling from Sikkim to Tibet, securing almost impossible permissions on their way. As usual Maillart writes well, of those she meets, the places she visits and puts things in context with other travels she has done.
4 stars.

Exploring the Everest Range by Eric Shipton
In 1951, Nepal had relaxed it isolation policies, and permitted am expedition to reconnoitre the south-western approach to Everest. Eric Shipton led this reconnaissance, although he was to be replaced on the attempt two years later by another of the authors in this book - Sir John Hunt. The first part of the book explains the work in the Mehlung La. Kiwis Ed Hillary and Earle Riddiford were involved in this expedition, although the group was split up to all investigate different areas. Probably the most interesting part was the pursuit of two yeti, and the following of their footprints. At first Shipton was unconvinced, considering that they were in fact following the footprints of Hillary and Riddiford, but later on having ruled out any other mountaineers in the area, became convinced.
The second part of the book covers the Barun Valley, where Hillary and Shipton head to while the rest of the party rest. Both madly fit and pushing each other they make good distance on the southern side of Everest, but run out of time and supplies. They agree to return the following year, at the same time as a Swiss team make an attempt at Everest. Hillary, Charles Evans (who would be deputy leader in 1953) and George Lowe join Shipton on this expedition.
4.5 stars.

A Skeleton Named George by Brian Fawcett
Everyone knows of Percy Fawcett, and his disappearance in 1925 in the Mato Grosso forests of Brazil. Here his son Brian tells of revisiting the area with Brazilian media to meet the Indians who supposedly confessed to the murder of Fawcett, his son and their companion. A skeleton was recovered, and tests carried out while Brian was on his travels. Throughout this story Brian is obviously unconvinced that the stories are true, but his story is more about his expedition and the people they meet that any revelations about his father.
4.5 stars.

Kings of the Equator by Sebastian Snow
Sebastian Snow tells of his 1953 travels to Ecuador, and his ambition to climb Cotopaxi and El Chimborazo, despite having had no mountaineering experience previously. Young and impetuous - certainly, but resourceful and lucky too. He engages assistance which proves well worthwhile. Cotopaxi, at just under 6000 metres is the worlds highest active volcano, and El Chimborazo is some 250m higher again. Alexander von Humboldt famously attempted El Chimborazo but didn't succeed, and it was unconquered until English climber Edward Whymper in 1880.
4 stars.

Therefore overall 4 stars.
Worth seeking out if you are a fan of two or more of these authors!