Headstrap: Legends and Lore from the Climbing Sherpas of Darjeeling

A captivating chronicle of Darjeeling’s Sherpa climbing community, this book highlights their significant role in Himalayan mountain exploration and climbing. Developed as a British colonial retreat in the early 1830s, Darjeeling attracted workers from the Sherpa and Bhutia communities, who became renowned high-altitude porters for early Himalayan expeditions. Their stories of valor, courage, and sacrifice earned them fame in the city. Over a decade, authors Nandini Purandare and Deepa Balsavar conducted interviews with Sherpas from Darjeeling and their families, friends, and contemporary climbers, weaving a vivid tapestry of their community’s history.