Carol Inskipp, who contributed the natural history information, is an ornithologist, nature conservationist, and writer with a special interest in the birds of Nepal. Since 1977 she has made many trips to the country studying birds with her husband, Tim. Together they wrote the standard work on the distribution of birds of Nepal. Carol has also written other books and articles on Nepali birds and their conservation.
Donald Messerschmidt, who contributed the material on the people of Nepal, is an anthropologist who advised Stephen on trekking before he first came to the Himalaya, and who has continued to provide information on Nepal for subsequent editions of this book. His first experience in Nepal was with the Peace Corps in 1963. He has worked in community development, taught in the American school in Kathmandu, studied the Gurungs of west-central Nepal for his Ph.D., led treks and study tours, conducted research, and participated in scientific forums on the Himalaya.
The section on jewelry comes from the studies of anthropologist Bronwen Bledsoe, whose interest in Nepal began on a college study tour led by Donald Messerschmidt; it has been updated by Hannelore Gabriel.
Daniel Schelling, who contributed the material on geology, has been actively involved in Himalayan geological research since 1983 and did his doctoral research on the geology of the Rolwaling and the eastern Nepal Himalaya. He is presently at the Energy and Geoscience Institute at the University of Utah, conducting research throughout the Himalaya.
Dr. Jim Duff, M.D. is the founder and Director of the International Porter Protection Group (www.ippg.net), which has initiated projects for the benefit of porters’ health and safety worldwide, including porter shelters, clothing banks, and rescue posts.
Declan Murphy is a long-term resident of Kathmandu working to help disadvantaged children access educational opportunities. His organization can be found at www.just-one.org.