Includes bibliographical references and index.

"The story of the often unheralded and unrecognized stars of climbing in the Himalaya and the Karakoram: the local inhabitants of the mountainous regions of Pakistan, Tibet, India, and Nepal who have been support staff--porters, cooks, sirdars, and unacknowledged guides--for Western climbers for generations. ALPINE RISING focuses on the experiences and accomplishments of these Sherpas, Baltis, Ladakhis, Hunzas, Astoris, Magars, Bhotias, Rais, and Gurangs. Highlighted climbers range from Raghubir Thapa and Goman Singh who climbed with Albert Mummery in 1895, Ang Tharkay who climbed with Eric Shipton and Maurice Herzog, and Tenzing Norgay who, along with Edmund Hillary, was the first to summit Everest, to today's superstars, Ali Sadpara, Mingma G, Kama Rita, and others"-- Provided by publisher.