INTRODUCTION TO TRAVEL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21734, 27 August 1932, Page 4

INTRODUCTION TO TRAVEL

" Adventures Of An Alpine Guide." By Christian Klueker. Translated by Erwin and Pleasaunce von Gaisberg. Edited, with additional chapters, by H. E. G. Tyndale. HluVtrkted. London: John Murray (10s 6d net). "The Open Road Abroad." By John Prloleau. Illustrated, with maps. London: J. M. Dent (Gs net). "On Foot In the Highlands." By Ernest A. Baker. Illustrated. London: Alexander Maciehoso (ss.net). The Alps Christian Klueker is conceded by all the experts to have been one of the few really great guides of the, Alps, and his life story, as told in his own words and authoritatively edited by Mr H. E. G. Tyndale, can be described as a classic of mountaineering. Klucker’s life as a guide covered fifty years, in which time he climbed more than 3000. peaks and was the leader of over TOO new expeditions, the last taking place in his seventyfourth year. The names of.jnany great alpinists appear in, his ready’ graphic narrative—Sir Edward Davidson and Captain Farrar among them—and one of the most spectacular .climbs in his history, or that of any guide, to the summit of Mont Blanc, was made with Dr Gussfeldt. On other occasions he was not fortunate ,in his companions, but it is-in describing such an adventure as the descent of the Gussfeldtsattel with a somewhat indifferent party that we see his qualities of leadership, his inexhaustible and practical knowledge of his beloved Alps, exemplified at their best. “ The Adventures of an Alpine Guide ” is a book that should exercise a strong appeal, and provide valluable advice to mountaineers even if they have no knowledge of Switzerland. The Continent “ The book is rambling, like a cruise abroad, and myi excuse for lack of precise form is that I have had the luck to go over most of the . ground, again and again, in spring, summer, autumn, and winter; in a hurry, and with all time at my disposal; on my way to other places; simply because I happened to arrive. Sometimes I saw these mountains, woods, rivers, plains, and pities in one mood, sometimes in another. Nothing on the open road ever looks the same twice, even if you see it a thousand times." What better recommendation to a book on travel by car could be desired than Mr Prioleau’s note on the method, or lack of it, in the tours described in “ The Open Road Abroad”? Mr Prioleau has driven all .sorts of cars, under all sorts of conditions, everywhere between the Straits of Dover, and the farthest frontier of Morocco, between Brittany and the Danube, Holland and the island of the Lotuseaters. His book is neither an orthodox guide book nor a conventional rhapsody, but something very attractive betweenThc two. It is illustrated in line, and contains interesting road maps. The Highlands Mr Baker’s “On Foot in the Highlands gives us, however remote the possibility of following, in his footsteps in Arran, Argyle, the Loch Katrine district, the Cairngorms Ross-shire, and elsein the’ territory of the Caledonians, the Piets and Scots, a vivid sense of their romance and wild beauty. He is the historian as well as the present-day guide to the real Scotia, and his book should be as welcome to the_ exiled Scot as to the tourist. Indeed, since the truth must be told, it seems that those who read about the Highlands are saved many of the vexations—w'hile, of course, missing the supreme joys—of those who go tramping there. Mr Baker has a few- trenchant words to say in, passing concerning exorbitant charges levied by some Highland hosts for jioor entertainment, by ferrymen and other persons,encountered whose services are not as considerable as the payments they demand. This excellent book, however, has its criticisms at the end, where they do not obtrude, and is as geiieroiis in its praise as .if is pointed in the, suggestions appended for improving the hospitality of the Highlands. v A. L. F.