Among Secret Beauties

Mountain climbing entered the world stage in the 1950s; this having been the era that produced not only Sir Edmund Hillary, but a strong body of world-class New Zealand climbers. In this important and dramatic book, author Brian Wilkins, who was part of the adventure, shares his experiences of climbing in New Zealand's Southern Alps, as well as the Himalayas. During the New Zealand Alpine Club expedition to the Himalayas in 1954 - the year after Sir Edmund Hillary's ascent of Everest - Wilkins was the climber most closely associated with Hillary. Hillary's two narrow escapes from death during the expedition saw Wilkins in a unique position to gauge the character and actions of this legendary figure at a formative stage in the famous climber's career. Wilkins' New Zealand climbing includes the first ascent of the northeast ridge of Mt. Aspiring, a gripping drama of survival, human endurance, and a test of the ethics of mountaineering. In the book, Wilkins also submits the writings of his contemporaries to robust critical attention, writing with warm gentle humor, honesty, and insight.