Camps and Trails in China

The book follows a 1916–1917 scientific expedition that set up a camp high on a snow‑capped mountain, some 12,000 feet above sea level, in a little‑known region of western China. Led by a seasoned mammalogist from the American Museum of Natural History, the team combined rigorous field work with a spirit of adventure, tracking elusive mammals and navigating rugged terrain. Their daily life—building shelters, coping with thin air, and mapping uncharted valleys—offers a vivid portrait of early twentieth‑century exploration.

Equally compelling are the contributions of the expedition’s photographer, whose journals and striking images bring the stark landscapes and the customs of remote tribal peoples to life. Readers encounter encounters with curious locals, unexpected weather, and the challenges of preserving specimens in a hostile environment. The narrative balances scientific curiosity with personal anecdotes, making the remote world feel immediate and accessible.