The Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain literature continues to attract a substantial degree of interest and level of entries. In this, our forty-first year, there were 32 entries, with authors from
Great Britain, Ireland, USA, Australia, Canada, India, Pakistan, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic.
The Judges for 2024 are Paul Pritchard (Chair), Joanna Croston and Rehan Siddiqui.
They have selected the following six books for this year’s shortlist:
Bernadette McDonald
Alpine Rising
Sherpas, Baltis, and the Triumph of Local Climbers in the Greater Ranges
Mountaineers Books
A ground-breaking examination of the contemporary mountaineering landscape. McDonald focuses on the pivotal roles played by Nepali and Pakistani climbers in shaping the future of high-altitude endeavours. The Author skilfully highlights the incredible achievements of these mountaineers, who have often gone unrecognised by their Western counterparts, thereby elevating the voices of these mountaineers to their rightful place.
Kate Nicholson
Behind Everest
Ruth Mallory’s Story – First British Expeditions
Pen & Sword Books
A massive undertaking, it places Ruth Mallory in her rightful position as not merely the ‘wife’ of George Mallory. The book skillfully weaves Ruth’s personal struggles and contributions into the often-murky history of women in early 20th-century mountaineering.
Clive Oppenheimer
Mountains of Fire
The Secret Lives of Volcanoes
Hodder & Stoughton
A captivating exploration of the intricate relationship between volcanoes and humanity. This in-depth study seamlessly blends scientific insight with some rarely told historical narratives.
Nandini Purandare and Deepa Balsavar
Headstrap
Legends and Lore from the Climbing Sherpas of Darjeeling
Mountaineers Books
Beautifully weaves together the rich cultural heritage and climbing traditions of the Sherpa and Bhutia community of Darjeeling. Through engaging stand-alone stories, many of which are recorded for the first time, this book offers readers a captivating glimpse into the lives of the legendary mountaineers that populate the ‘Kathmandu of India’.
David Smart
Royal Robbins
The American Climber
Mountaineers Books
Offers a captivating portrait of a pioneering figure in the world of climbing, detailing both Robbins’ ground-breaking ascents and his profound influence on the climbing community. Smart meticulously chronicles Robbins’ journey from a troubled upbringing to a legendary climber and visionary.
Graham Zimmerman
A Fine Line
Searching for Balance Among Mountains
Mountaineers Books
A gripping and introspective account of the challenges faced by the modern alpinist.
The book masterfully intertwines a thought-provoking exploration of ambition and courage with the pursuit of meaning in the face of a changing mountain and global landscape.
Once again the Award continues to attract a high level of interest and entries on a variety of aspects of the mountain environment.
Steve Dean
Secretary
Boardman Tasker Charitable Trust