Map House and Nepal Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) on 8 April 2026 jointly launched “The Three Faces of Everest” a new visual guide by Dutch trekking expert ‘Bart Jordans’ that aims to present a fuller perspective of Mount Everest by documenting all three of its major faces. The book was unveiled at a ceremony held at TAAN office in Kathmandu, attended by Jordans, TAAN President Sagar Pandey, General Secretary Sonam Gyaljen Sherpa, Map House Managing Director Pawan Shakya, MoGAN president Sanjib Gurung, NITWOG president Ram Kaji Tiwari and tourism officials, guests, and media representatives from Nepal and China.
Structured around the theme “Three Faces – Three Ridges – Three Passes – Four Glaciers – Two Parks,” the publication presents Everest as more than a climbing destination, portraying it instead as a vast cultural and geographical landscape shaped by people, history, and nature. Speaking at the launch, Jordans said the book was designed to move beyond the traditional north-south narrative that has long dominated Everest literature.
“There are many important books on Everest, but we wanted to create one that shows all three faces of the mountain,” Jordans said. “One face is from Nepal, while two are from Tibet. It is mainly a photographic guidebook, with limited text, allowing the images to tell the story.” Unlike conventional mountaineering or trekking guides, the book relies heavily on photography and visual storytelling. Rather than detailed route descriptions, it focuses on selected themes including Sherpa life, porters, yaks, glaciers, and the broader mountain environment.
In the preface, Jordans says he hopes readers can experience the same sense of wonder he feels each time he returns to what he describes as the “magic mountain.” Shakya said the concept grew from discussions about a long-standing gap in Everest publications, many of which focus primarily on the mountain’s northern and southern approaches. “We realized that the eastern face was rarely covered in existing books,” Shakya said. “That inspired us to produce a work that finally brings together all three faces of Everest.” The release also includes a detailed companion map illustrating the mountain’s three sides, strengthening the publication’s role as both a visual narrative and a geographical reference.
Pandey described the book as an important contribution to Nepal’s mountain tourism and publishing sectors, saying it reflects the country’s efforts to promote broader Himalayan narratives beyond conventional trekking routes. The event concluded with the formal unveiling of the book, followed by a signing session, photographs, and the presentation of souvenirs to guests. With its strong visual focus and integrated mapping, The Three Faces of Everest is expected to stand out as a significant new contribution to Everest literature, offering readers a rare panoramic understanding of the world’s highest mountain.
