Escape's "Abominable Snowman" begins in Darjeeling, India as three men are about to embark on an expedition to capture one of the Yeti, the mysterious creatures reported by mountain climbing expeditions in the Himalayas since the early Twentieth Century. They hire a sherpa guide named Nasang who claims to have seen one. We learn from Nasang that the Yeti, also called the "Metoh-Kangmi", have evil faces. They sometimes leap and sometimes they run in great strides. He warns them that trying to capture one "will be a difficult thing."
The three Americans--Alan, Frank and Lane--are determined to capture a Yeti for their research into prehistoric animals. After four weeks of travel from Darjeeling, they arrive at the Rongbuk Monastery to interview with the lama. He grants them access on the condition that they do not kill anything on the mountain. Nasang informs them that he is unable to hire any porters for their expedition because the locals are afraid of upsetting the Yeti, who are cannibals. So, the four men start climbing Mt. Everest on their own. One by one, their small expedition faces the challenges of the mountain and an Abominable Snowman.
This episode was written and directed by Antony Ellis for Escape. It starred William Conrad as Lane, Anthony Berrett, Hy Averback, Jack Kruschen, and Edgar Barrier. Escape presented "The Abominable Snowman" on September 13, 1953. It is not to be confused with the 1957 British horror movie The Abominable Snowman.
. Download Escape.1953.09.13.Abominable_ Snowman.mp3
The World Adventurer's Club was an early radio program from the 1930's that presented the adventure stories of its members, a seasoned group of daredevil gentleman and cosmopolites.
Sometimes these tales are pretty fantastic, but the episode "Hairy Wild Man" is just absurd. It begins as a Yeti story, but then becomes a story about a crazed Darwinist who kidnaps two missionaries in Mongolia to mate them with monkeys. Instead of looking for the "missing link," he wants to create one.
None of this rattles the sophisticates of the World Adventurer's Club one bit. After the story, they resume their brandy and cigars while their club quartet sings another hymnal.
"Hairy Wild Man" aired on December 20, 1932.
. Download wadv.1932.ep020_Hairy_Wild_Man_20.mp3
(Image of Mount Everest and the Rongbuk Monastery from Wikimedia Commons)
To learn more about the Sherpas who very much believe in the existence of the yeti and share their homelands with the beast, Beyond the Summit by Linda LeBlanc. Details of Sherpa culture and religion are interwoven in a tale of romance and high adventure. The story has something for everyone: a love affair between an American journalist and Sherpa guide, conflict between generations as the modern world challenges centuries of tradition, an expedition from the porter's point of view.
Below are selections from reviews. To read the complete ones and excerpts go to www.beyondthesummit-novel.com
Beyond the Summit, is the rare gem that shows us the triumphs and challenges of a major climb from the porter’s point of view. The love of two people from diverse cultures is the fiery centerpiece of a novel that leads its readers through harshly beautiful and highly dangerous territory to the roof of the world. Malcolm Campbell, book reviewer
Conflict and dialog keep this gripping story of destiny, romance and adventure moving from the first page to the last paragraph. LeBlanc has a genius for bonding her readers and her characters. I found I was empathizing in turn with each character as they faced their own personal crisis or trauma.
Richard Blake for Readers Views.
A gripping, gut-twisting expedition through the eyes of a porter reveals the heart and soul of Sherpas living in the shadows of Everest. EverestNews.com
A hard-hitting blend of adventure and romance which deserves a spot in any serious fiction collection. Midwest Book Review
LeBlanc is equally adept at describing complex, elusive emotions and the beautiful, terrifying aspect of the Himalayan Mountains. Boulder Daily Camera
LeBlanc's vivid description of the Himalayas and the climbing culture makes this a powerful read. Rocky Mt News Pick of the Week
A rich adventure into the heart of the Himalayan Kingdom. Fantastic story-telling from one who has been there. USABookNews.com
This is the book to read before you embark on your pilgrimage to Nepal. The author knows and loves the people and the country, and makes you feel the cold thin air, the hard rocks of the mountains, the tough life of the Sherpa guides, and you learn to love them too. This is a higly literate, but also very readable book. Highly recommended."
-- John (college professor)
Memorable characters and harrowing encounters with the mountains keep the action moving with a vibrant balance of vivid description and dialogue. Literary Cafe Host, Healdsburg, CA
This superbly-crafted novel will land you in a world of unimaginable beauty, adventure, and romance. The love story will keep you awake at night with its vibrant tension and deep rich longing. Wick Downing, author of nine novels
Such vividly depicted images of the Everest region and the Sherpa people are the perfect scenario for the romance and adventure feats narrated. It's a page-turner, so engrossing you end up wanting to visit Nepal! Not just novel, but perfect for those seeking to get acquainted with the culture of this country.
By Claudia Fournier (América, Bs. As., Argentina)
Posted by: Linda leBlanc | July 03, 2007 at 11:59 AM
If Abominable Snowman would have been a reality, he would have been noticed on satellite cameras or aerial videos. However, such things never happened.
Posted by: abominable snowman | April 24, 2011 at 09:49 PM