The author's first book High Himalaya Unknown Valleys covered his explorations of the Indian Himalaya between 1969 and 1991. Its success emphasised that more information was required as the interest is generated in the smaller mountains and unknown valleys. The present book continues in a similar vein. It covers expeditions and treks undertaken by the author between 1993 and 1997. It includes other writings and those lovely treks he had also done before 1969. The book encompasses almost 35 years of Himalayan travel which allows for a comparison about how it was then and how it is now. And perhaps that migh help predict what the future holds in store.

Included here are serious expeditions with Sir Chris Bonington to Panch Chuli and Rangrik Rang, the accident and rescue of Stephen Venables, climbing Manirang, exploring Spiti, climbing Lungser Kangri in Rupshu, Ladakh, and exploring passes in the Garhwal. For those less seriously inclined there are lovely treks in Kinnaur, Kumaon, Garhwal, Ladakh and Nepal. These treks and climbs are in some of the areas never heard of before, and there are new trekking suggestions to last for a long time.

It is an invaluable reference for trekkers and mountaineers. For an explorer there are suggestions about things to be done. And for an armchair mountain lover there are personal stories about climbers.