Chasing the Phantom

Eduard Fischer takes us on an exploration of myth, art, science, and the sacred space of high mountains. This is an account of adventure and deep reflection accompanied by a selection of the author's stunning colour photographs.

After first visiting the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh in 1985, he returned again and again, seeking to catch a glimpse of the phantom of the Himalayas - the elusive snow leopard. During these visits he became enthralled with the unique culture of this ancient mountain kingdom, one of the oldest enclaves of Buddhism.

The phantom cat itself becomes, at turns, Eduard's quarry, nemesis, obsession, and finally, in a surprising twist of destiny, his teacher.

Eduard Fischer, born in Vienna, Austria, is a writer, photographer, mountaineer, and lifelong traveler. By the time he was sixteen he had logged thousands of miles hitchhiking across Canada where he grew up. His past occupations include coastal seaman, beachcomber, horse guide, climbing instructor, rigger, movie stunt double, product designer, graphic artist, technical writer, and sculptor. Eduard has co-founded and managed several businesses including the well-known Edge Climbing Centre in North Vancouver, one of the first large scale climbing gyms in North America. Eduard has long had an interest in comparative religion and philosophy. Beginning at age eleven, he has had sojourns at a Benedictine cloister in Canada, a Zen monastery in Japan, and an ashram in India. When not traveling, Eduard lives with his wife and partner in adventure, Helen Habgood, in Squamish, BC.