Book Review: “The Great Unknown’ by Geoff Spearpoint. Published by Potton and Burton. Price $60.
Reviewed by Tony Orman
This book “The Great Unknown” is strikingly illustrated, informative and makes for absorbing reading about the author’s wilderness explorations of the Southern Alps.
First about the author Geoff Spearpoint who is a writer and photographer, with a long and deeply experienced knowledge of the New Zealand backcountry. He is the author of Walking to the Hills: Tramping in New Zealand, and the editor of Moirs Guide North: The Otago Southern Alps and lives in Canterbury. For over 50 years, Geoff has made forays into the Southern Alps, involving many long, adventurous trips into the wilderness areas, every year, decade after decade.
In the “The Great Unknown” he tells of his favourite trips into fifteen geographical areas, ranging from Kahurangi (North West Nelson) to Fiordland. The photography by the author is outstanding and enhanced by maps from Geographx.
In the “The Great Unknown” the author’s sensitivity and respectful love of the mountains and valleys of the Alps shows strongly.
The publishers have done a grand job and the book is beautifully illustrated chronicle of five decades of tramping and adventuring in New Zealand’s Southern Alps.
Tthis is a book that trampers and mountaineers will cherish, not forgetting many hunters and backcountry trout anglers who just love the wilderness environment, should find it great reading.
