In search of the snow leopard

It took Squamish author Eduard Fischer just six months to write the first draft of his book Chasing the Phantom, but the work was the culmination of almost 30 years of adventure and reflection in the Himalayas.

“It was a spiritual quest for me,” Fischer said.

The book recounts his repeat visits to the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh beginning in1985 and his mission to catch a glimpse of the so-called “phantom of the Himalayas” — the elusive snow leopard. Fischer said he was originally inspired to seek out the big cat after reading a book about a similar quest called The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen.

“He got a best-selling book out of it, but he never saw a snow leopard,” he said. 

After spending some 20 years raising children, working various jobs and co-founding businesses like the Edge Climbing Centre in North Vancouver, Fischer said he had a “what do I do now?” moment when his children grew up.

So he visited the area around Ladakh between 1985 and 2013 to see if he could be lucky enough to spot a snow leopard himself.

“I decided I wanted to see a snow leopard, and had a series of adventures and misadventures,” he said.

Along the way, Fischer became “enthralled with the unique culture of this ancient mountain kingdom, one of the oldest enclaves of Buddhism,” according to the book’s liner notes.

But the book isn’t exactly a memoir.

Fischer’s book falls into the category of “creative non-fiction.” The events and conversations he recounts actually happened; however, he has organized the account in a way to tell a story and explore the myths and sacred places of the high mountains.

“The closest thing to it in terms of style is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance,” he said.

The book has been available since June, but Fischer will be on hand at Valhalla Pure on Thursday (July 31) at 7 p.m. for a special event to launch the book, which also features a slideshow of his fascinating adventures. 

Proceeds from the launch go to the Squamish Helping Hands Society.

For more about the book and author visit the book’s website at  www.chasingthephantom.com.