The Himalaya by the Numbers: A Statistical Analysis of Mountaineering in the Nepal Himalaya

A comprehensive statistical analysis of climbing activity, ascents and fatalities in the Nepal Himalaya covering three periods of climbing - 1950-1969 (the expeditionary period), 1970-1989 (the transitional period), and 1990-2009 (the commercial period). An extensive amount of data is analyzed in several categories including climbing season, expedition years (changes over time), geographical regions of Nepal, age groups, gender, citizenship, and team size and composition. In addition, fatalities are analyzed for both members and hired personnel by causes of death with special emphasis given to avalanches, falls and physiological factors. Time of day and distance from the summit is also examined for climbing accidents. Special emphasis is given to the most popular commercial peaks - Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu and Everest. Interspersed throughout are stories by Hawley covering particular events during the climbing periods covered. There is much to be learned in this book for anyone interested in the high Himalaya! This hardcover edition has been printed in a limited edition of only 200 copies.