Heart of the Himalaya

Much has changed during the last four decades in the Himalaya; and much has not. In the changes, we see both benefit and loss. Roads push ever farther into remote regions once reached only by days or weeks of walking, and bring quicker access at the cost of ancient values. Children find educational opportunities far beyond what their parents knew, and disappear to cities and other countries, tearing at the social fabric of their ancestors. A rising sea of plastic trash, air pollution, and industrial-world noise finds its way into ever-higher elevations until, in the words of mountain people, the magic dies – the fairies, the spirits, the mysteries, the ineffable, heart-stopping beauty fades away like the day’s last rosy light on a Himalayan summit.

Yet so much remains. Pat and Baiba Morrow’s Heart of the Himalaya takes us on a hopeful journey across decades of change, from a time when it was still possible to be the first Canadians local people had ever met, to now when trading email addresses is a standard form of greeting. In these beautiful photographs, and carefully chosen words (which seem to increasingly feature people, not scenery, as the Morrows push into middle age themselves) we see a human-scale progress. Old ways meet new ways. Jeans and fleece jackets mix with native dress. Young mountain people look more knowingly, more worldly, into the camera lens. They do it with an evident optimism that causes this old skeptic to reassess.

The 12-minute film included with the book (these enhanced iBooks can be amazingly rich) called Hocky Night in Ladakh speaks volumes about the frontier between time-tested tradition and the inexorably powerful modern world. Don’t worry, play hockey! The larger lesson, for me at least, is that we should never underestimate the ability of any people, anywhere, to make appropriate decisions for themselves. We western pilgrims have always thought of the Himalaya as a place where people know something we don’t. This excellent book suggests that the search is still worth making, even if, like a beyul, we never find the answer.

Review of ‘Heart of the Himalaya’ by Pat and Baiba Morrow

Whether you are an armchair explorer, old Himalayan hand, a techie, or simply enjoy fine photography and a good story, ‘Heart of the Himalaya,’ by Pat and Baiba Morrow, is a book that will thrill you and make you want to travel to the Himalaya either physically or visually.

For over 30 years Pat and Baiba have weaved their way through and across the Himalaya region exploring, developing lifelong friendships, inspiring and supporting humanistic and environmental causes, with wide open eyes (cameras) and zeal.

With their long-time friend and Bungalo Book publisher, Frank B. Edwards, they have created a cutting edge “Coffee Tablet” eBook, which is multi-media/multi touch, and launches from Apple’s iBook platform. For the best results view on an iPad. With ‘Heart of the Himalaya’ you will experience the wave of the future in multi-media publishing.

Pat and Baiba Morrow have climbed (Pat was the second Canadian to climb Mount Everest in October 1982 and would later go on to become the first person the successfully climb the Seven Summits), bicycled, trekked, and have often spent extended periods hunkered down with locals or on extended remote journeys.

During these amazing trips Pat and Baiba amassed an archive of over 22,000 photographs, sound recordings, and unique videography (Hockey Night in Ladakh is my favorite).
‘Heart of the Himalaya’ uses this extensive archive to bring the viewer a magical multi-media experience that documents the Morrows unprecedented explorations into ancient cultures, esoteric rituals, lofty summits, and the most sublime landscape on earth. I applaud Pat and Baiba Morrow’s achievements and I have been inspired by them for years; their journeys often fueling my own to that sacred part of the world.

‘Heart of the Himalaya’ is the real deal, created by an extraordinary couple, and I wholeheartedly encourage readers to pull out their iPads, settle into a comfy place, and prepare for the journey of a lifetime…The adventures of Pat and Baiba Morrow. Thumbs up and six stars! Rob “Tor” Torkildson

Pat and Baiba Morrow have created an experience in this tablet eBook like the beyul described early on by Dr. Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa in a video interview. With the right preparation you’ll have new insight and find amazing material in this iBook.

Many people come to the Himalaya looking for something. A few come and see. The Morrow’s photography and text bring much meaning to the Himalaya. Their photo captions act as a guide to material you might not see such as on pages 6, 8 and 33.

The format allows you skim through, or pause and scroll through panels. But you have to engage to find the beyul. This book is a guide in that journey. No matter how much of the Himlaya you have been to, there is much to be discovered in their ultra-modern incaration of long lost scrolls.

Disclaimer: I have done trips with the authors and am mentioned in the book.