Nelle Ande del Sud Perú

Publication Year: 1954.

Nelle Ande del Sud Perú, by Piero Ghiglione. 169 pages, 78 photographs, appendices, and folding map. Milano: Garzanti, 1953. Price, L. 1200.

Despite his advanced years, Piero Ghiglione’s abundant energy and enthusiasm are apparent throughout this new book which describes his expeditions and climbs in the Andes of southern Peru in 1950 and 1952. Ranges little known, poorly mapped, and difficult of access are penetrated afoot and on ponyback. The author’s interests include the flora and fauna, geology, and folklore of the regions visited, as well as the mountaineering possibilities. The descriptions of his climbs on Ausangate, Solimana, Corupuna, and Salcantay and of his explorations in the ranges of Cayangate and Yucai and the Veronica massif are, however, somewhat confusing to a reader not already familiar with such regions. There is no index, but only a table of contents and list of illustrations. Some of the photographs are excellent. An account of the 1952 expedition, carried out in the company of the Austrian alpinist Mathias Rebitsch, the Swedish climber Anders Bolinder, the Peruvian geologist Alberto Parodi, and Felix Marx is included in The Mountain World, 1953. Ing. Ghiglione’s enterprise has helped to draw attention to a fascinating portion of the great Andean chain where much still remains to be accomplished.

M. G. O. and J. C. O.