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Into the Heart of the Himalayas
When Jono Lineen's brother died in tragic circumstances, he gave up a comfortable life, moved to the Himalayas and over eight years immersed himself in the cultures of the world's highest mountains.
The experience culminates in his book Into the Heart of the Himalayas, a fascinating memoir that traces his solo trekking odyssey from Pakistan to Nepal across thousands of kilometres of mountain terrain. No-one has ever before attempted to walk the length of the Western Himalayas alone, but Jono's intentions were more psychological than physical. It was about integrating the Himalayan culture he had grown to love, assimilating the wisdom of the place and coming to terms with his loss.
Jono's openness with everyone he meets on the trail - from Pakistani military officers to Tibetan lamas and naked Hindu Saddhus - lies at the heart of one of the most complete portraits of the Himalayas ever written. Jono Lineen - a lone, disarming man - ;crosses borders, religions, castes, languages and philosophical boundaries to find the way to embrace his future.
The experience culminates in his book Into the Heart of the Himalayas, a fascinating memoir that traces his solo trekking odyssey from Pakistan to Nepal across thousands of kilometres of mountain terrain. No-one has ever before attempted to walk the length of the Western Himalayas alone, but Jono's intentions were more psychological than physical. It was about integrating the Himalayan culture he had grown to love, assimilating the wisdom of the place and coming to terms with his loss.
Jono's openness with everyone he meets on the trail - from Pakistani military officers to Tibetan lamas and naked Hindu Saddhus - lies at the heart of one of the most complete portraits of the Himalayas ever written. Jono Lineen - a lone, disarming man - ;crosses borders, religions, castes, languages and philosophical boundaries to find the way to embrace his future.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
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213 people want to read
About the author
Jono Lineen
5 books7 followersJono Lineen is an author, museum curator and public speaker. His books include River Trilogy, Into the Heart of the Himalayas and Perfect Motion.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 19, 2020
Why would anybody, of their own accord, set off on foot on a long journey, a walk of thousands of kilometres? A walk through the wild, fraught with danger from the elements, from wildlife, from hostile humans—even the very real threat of one's own body proving unequal to the task?
In the case of Bill Bryson, walking the Appalachian Trail (as documented in his book, A Walk in the Woods), it was an attempt to explore the historical, natural and cultural heritage of an old trail. For Slawomir Rawicz, The Long Walk—which took him and his companions all the way from Siberia to Darjeeling—it was escape from almost certain death in a Siberian prison camp.
For Jono Lineen, it was the death of his younger brother Gareth which led him to go on a solo walk through the Western Himalayas. Gareth, just nineteen years old, drowned in a freak accident while rowing on Canada's Elk Lake, and the shock of his death turned his brother's life upside-down. In an attempt to cope with the loss of Gareth's death, and to understand life and death, Jono Lineen chose to explore the Himalayas, which he had been visiting for several years before he began his solo trek.
The long walk documented in Into the Heart of the Himalayas was a 2700 km trek which took four months to complete. Lineen began his expedition in northern Pakistan—the 'Muslim Himalayas', as he labels this stretch of his route—and worked his way east, through sections of Ladakh, Zanskar, Lahaul and Spiti (the 'Buddhist Himalayas'), finally ending in Kumaon, the heart of the 'Hindu Himalayas'. Along the way, as he chatted with monks and walked past stupas, tied prayer flags at sacred spots, took a dip in the Ganga at its source and sat meditating at the deodar-shrouded Jageshwar Temple, Lineen experienced the famed spirituality of the Himalayas.
Religion and spirituality, however, are only two of the components (even if major) of the Himalayas. As he made his way through some of the most rugged terrain in the world, Lineen saw the life of the people up close. He harvested barley with villagers, was entertained by a marijuana harvester near Manali, met up with a bear scarer, and was apprehended by the Army for blundering into their camp. He had some hair-raising adventures, saw spectacular natural (and manmade) sights, and participated in conversations on everything from politics to cricket.
Interwoven with this very intimate account of a solo walker's trek through the Himalayas are Lineen's many reminiscences of his brother. He talks of the icy waters of Chandratal, and remembers Elk Lake's icy waters where Gareth drowned. He sees the mummified body of a lama at Giu, and is reminded of Gareth's body, preserved by the cold. Forests, bears, religion, goodness: each of these (and more) find connections with his memories of Gareth.
Into the Heart of the Himalayas is an unforgettable memoir: an intense, vivid account of the natural world and its human counterpart. Lineen writes with sincerity and occasional humour, combining observations with research, explaining concepts, discussing ideas and beliefs. Giving, in the process, his readers a glimpse up close of himself. This is a touching, inspiring, exhilarating book.
(From my review for The New Indian Express: https://www.newindianexpress.com/life...)
In the case of Bill Bryson, walking the Appalachian Trail (as documented in his book, A Walk in the Woods), it was an attempt to explore the historical, natural and cultural heritage of an old trail. For Slawomir Rawicz, The Long Walk—which took him and his companions all the way from Siberia to Darjeeling—it was escape from almost certain death in a Siberian prison camp.
For Jono Lineen, it was the death of his younger brother Gareth which led him to go on a solo walk through the Western Himalayas. Gareth, just nineteen years old, drowned in a freak accident while rowing on Canada's Elk Lake, and the shock of his death turned his brother's life upside-down. In an attempt to cope with the loss of Gareth's death, and to understand life and death, Jono Lineen chose to explore the Himalayas, which he had been visiting for several years before he began his solo trek.
The long walk documented in Into the Heart of the Himalayas was a 2700 km trek which took four months to complete. Lineen began his expedition in northern Pakistan—the 'Muslim Himalayas', as he labels this stretch of his route—and worked his way east, through sections of Ladakh, Zanskar, Lahaul and Spiti (the 'Buddhist Himalayas'), finally ending in Kumaon, the heart of the 'Hindu Himalayas'. Along the way, as he chatted with monks and walked past stupas, tied prayer flags at sacred spots, took a dip in the Ganga at its source and sat meditating at the deodar-shrouded Jageshwar Temple, Lineen experienced the famed spirituality of the Himalayas.
Religion and spirituality, however, are only two of the components (even if major) of the Himalayas. As he made his way through some of the most rugged terrain in the world, Lineen saw the life of the people up close. He harvested barley with villagers, was entertained by a marijuana harvester near Manali, met up with a bear scarer, and was apprehended by the Army for blundering into their camp. He had some hair-raising adventures, saw spectacular natural (and manmade) sights, and participated in conversations on everything from politics to cricket.
Interwoven with this very intimate account of a solo walker's trek through the Himalayas are Lineen's many reminiscences of his brother. He talks of the icy waters of Chandratal, and remembers Elk Lake's icy waters where Gareth drowned. He sees the mummified body of a lama at Giu, and is reminded of Gareth's body, preserved by the cold. Forests, bears, religion, goodness: each of these (and more) find connections with his memories of Gareth.
Into the Heart of the Himalayas is an unforgettable memoir: an intense, vivid account of the natural world and its human counterpart. Lineen writes with sincerity and occasional humour, combining observations with research, explaining concepts, discussing ideas and beliefs. Giving, in the process, his readers a glimpse up close of himself. This is a touching, inspiring, exhilarating book.
(From my review for The New Indian Express: https://www.newindianexpress.com/life...)
September 28, 2015
Travel writing is not a genre I read very often. I don't, therefore, have much of a frame of reference with which to view this book.
Jono Lineen was born and spent his early childhood in Belfast. The family migrated to Canada where the boys excelled at outdoor sports. Jono was an Olympic Cross Country Skiing hopeful and youngest brother, Gareth, a rower and sister Katrina (who doesn't get much of a look in), an Olympic hopeful hockey player.
Gareth drowns in a rowing training accident just short of his 19th birthday and Jono takes is particularly hard. He spent several years indulging in nihilist behaviour, finally landing in the Himalayas on a pilgrimage to come to terms with Gareth's life and death. It is this pilgrimage and reconciliation that Lineen describes.
The book is well written and mostly well paced. I could feel the rhythm of the Jono's trek - so much so that I spent a number of hours looking on You Tube for the definitive version of "Walking After Midnight"*.
I found myself very grateful to Dr Bill Garlington who taught me Asian Studies in secondary college. I didn't feel completely out of my depth with Lineen's dense description of Buddhism and Hinduism as experienced in Pakistan, Nepal and Northern India, and the political and religious history of the area. I trust that the information is accurate but I have some fears as there were a couple of passages that made me wonder if some editorial liberties were taken.
For example, as a Presbyterian from Belfast, Lineen would never have referred to a minister in that denomination as a priest, nor the service of solemn worship a Mass, but that is what we have in this book. My Presbyterian hackles raised.
I found the book a hard slog - not as hard as Lineen's pilgrimage - but something I had to brace myself for, rather than ran joyously to.
Recommended for students of comparative Asian religions and keen walkers.
* kd lang followed by the divine Dusty and surprisingly, Dwight Yoakam.
Jono Lineen was born and spent his early childhood in Belfast. The family migrated to Canada where the boys excelled at outdoor sports. Jono was an Olympic Cross Country Skiing hopeful and youngest brother, Gareth, a rower and sister Katrina (who doesn't get much of a look in), an Olympic hopeful hockey player.
Gareth drowns in a rowing training accident just short of his 19th birthday and Jono takes is particularly hard. He spent several years indulging in nihilist behaviour, finally landing in the Himalayas on a pilgrimage to come to terms with Gareth's life and death. It is this pilgrimage and reconciliation that Lineen describes.
The book is well written and mostly well paced. I could feel the rhythm of the Jono's trek - so much so that I spent a number of hours looking on You Tube for the definitive version of "Walking After Midnight"*.
I found myself very grateful to Dr Bill Garlington who taught me Asian Studies in secondary college. I didn't feel completely out of my depth with Lineen's dense description of Buddhism and Hinduism as experienced in Pakistan, Nepal and Northern India, and the political and religious history of the area. I trust that the information is accurate but I have some fears as there were a couple of passages that made me wonder if some editorial liberties were taken.
For example, as a Presbyterian from Belfast, Lineen would never have referred to a minister in that denomination as a priest, nor the service of solemn worship a Mass, but that is what we have in this book. My Presbyterian hackles raised.
I found the book a hard slog - not as hard as Lineen's pilgrimage - but something I had to brace myself for, rather than ran joyously to.
Recommended for students of comparative Asian religions and keen walkers.
* kd lang followed by the divine Dusty and surprisingly, Dwight Yoakam.
May 7, 2014
A detailed description of the author's walk through the Himalayas, with a good amount of history woven into the trek.
Others will likely enjoy this more than I did - it is competently written, and I got glimpses here and there of some of the profound insights and experiences that the author lived through, but it never seemed to quite delve deep enough for my interests.
eARC provided by Netgalley.
Others will likely enjoy this more than I did - it is competently written, and I got glimpses here and there of some of the profound insights and experiences that the author lived through, but it never seemed to quite delve deep enough for my interests.
eARC provided by Netgalley.
January 2, 2015
The story of a wonderful journey and a powerful story, however I feel it was let down by the writing and the ideas expressed and not expressed.
April 24, 2016
This is a memoir and trekking travelogue of an amazing physical and spiritual journey the author took over a decade ago. Memoirs are difficult to read and review as too often they have a tendency to be self-indulgent. This happens frequently in this book, when the author repetitively refers to the tragic death of his brother which triggered his decision to spend so much time in the mountains and eventually to attempt this long solo walk. Thus throughout his journey the author endeavours to come to terms with the drowning of his brother and constantly draws parallels with the watery imagery he encounters en-route. I could not help comparing this to Wild by Cheryl Strayed as it also is the story about achieving spiritual fulfillment by undertaking a mammoth walk (by an inexperienced hiker) after the death of a beloved parent, and I much preferred Strayed’s
Nevertheless, there are segments of beautiful writing in the book, when the writer describes some of the magnificent scenery, fascinating shrines and temples and the interesting and most often very generous people who he encounters. However, for me, it is the writer’s depth of understanding and clear descriptions and analysis of the religious ideologies and their manifestations that make the book worth reading.
Nevertheless, there are segments of beautiful writing in the book, when the writer describes some of the magnificent scenery, fascinating shrines and temples and the interesting and most often very generous people who he encounters. However, for me, it is the writer’s depth of understanding and clear descriptions and analysis of the religious ideologies and their manifestations that make the book worth reading.
January 16, 2021
“The jeep taxi dropped me at my starting point, the confluence of the Indus and Astore rivers in the Northern Areas of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. It is a tumultuous landscape, where three of the world’s greatest mountain ranges — the Himalayas, the Karakoram and the Hindu Kush — collide.”
While Lileen brilliantly sets the tone of the book with these very first two lines, he also establishes, quite early on, that he is a nice, likeable sort you can trust as you trek the 2,700 kilometres along with him — from the ‘Muslim Himalayas’ of Pakistan to the ‘Buddhist Himalayas’ of Ladakh and Spiti and finally into the ‘Hindu Himalayas’ of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Into the Heart of the Himalayas is an unforgettable memoir: an intense, vivid account of the natural world and its human counterpart. Lineen writes with sincerity and occasional humour, combining observations with research, explaining concepts, discussing ideas and beliefs. This is a touching, inspiring, exhilarating book.
A book that questions and answers to the mighty mountains and the religious they give birth to, Into the Heart of the Himalayas is one book that i wish to re-read every year. An absolute gem ( if you’re ready for it )
Highly recommended!!
While Lileen brilliantly sets the tone of the book with these very first two lines, he also establishes, quite early on, that he is a nice, likeable sort you can trust as you trek the 2,700 kilometres along with him — from the ‘Muslim Himalayas’ of Pakistan to the ‘Buddhist Himalayas’ of Ladakh and Spiti and finally into the ‘Hindu Himalayas’ of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Into the Heart of the Himalayas is an unforgettable memoir: an intense, vivid account of the natural world and its human counterpart. Lineen writes with sincerity and occasional humour, combining observations with research, explaining concepts, discussing ideas and beliefs. This is a touching, inspiring, exhilarating book.
A book that questions and answers to the mighty mountains and the religious they give birth to, Into the Heart of the Himalayas is one book that i wish to re-read every year. An absolute gem ( if you’re ready for it )
Highly recommended!!
July 13, 2014
A warm, generous, sometimes hair-raising and evocative journey through the landscapes, cultures, religions and peoples of the Western Himalayas. And a journey that has at its heart coming to some sort of peace with the loss of a brother. It is at times an extraordinary trek with some narrow scrapes (falling rocks, precarious bus journeys and demolition crews), colourful cast members, most of whom are generous with the little they have, and moments of epiphany. Jono Lineen not only has a great capacity to blend history and religion together with landscape but at times he is able in passages of uncommon beauty convey insights of some depth. I can see him scribbling down such insights while his small stove is chugging away.
November 24, 2020
The author embarks on a long journey through the himalayas in search of peace and tranquillity in the midst of a tragedy that has happened in his life. He starts from pakistan and ends in Nepal, traversing through some very vivid and harsh terrains, weathers and cultures and ethnic groups.
The felt dear to me as the writer treks across rhe rupin pass from sangla to dhaula, a path that i trekked only in the reverse direction. His descriptions of it made me go back to the time of my trek and brought back some beautiful memories from it.
The felt dear to me as the writer treks across rhe rupin pass from sangla to dhaula, a path that i trekked only in the reverse direction. His descriptions of it made me go back to the time of my trek and brought back some beautiful memories from it.
May 23, 2020
A quiet and reflective book on the epic 2700km trek across the Western Himalayas, from Pakistan to the Mahakali river in Nepal. Lineen writes about the people he encounters with empathy, and looks towards spirituality to come to terms with the tragic death of his brother.
March 14, 2017
3.7 /5
May 11, 2024
Embarking on Jono Lineen's "Into the Heart Of The Himalayas," I was filled with anticipation, expecting to delve into an impressive travel narrative. Did the book live up to my excitement? The answer is both yes and no.
On the positive side:
Lineen's prose is captivating and beautifully crafted, transforming the pages into a vivid travel journal.
The author takes us on a journey through the formidable terrain of the Himalayas, providing firsthand insights into the challenges and rewards of trekking.
Detailed descriptions of local life enrich the narrative, offering readers a deeper understanding of the region's cultural tapestry. Moreover, Lineen reflects on the merits and drawbacks of solitary travel and trekking, adding layers of introspection to the narrative.
However, there are some drawbacks:
The lack of a clear timeline for Lineen's journey is a significant drawback. It's only toward the end of the book that we learn the trek occurred around 1999 or earlier. This ambiguity is compounded by the fact that Uttarakhand was established as a separate state in 2000, a detail mentioned in the book. As a result, readers might initially assume the trek took place more recently, potentially leading to confusion.
Lineen's inability to visit key sites like Kedarnath and Badrinath suggests inadequate trip planning, detracting from the overall experience.
In conclusion, "Into the Heart Of The Himalayas" is a well-crafted travel journal that offers glimpses into the awe-inspiring beauty of the Great Himalayas. While it may not entirely meet expectations, it remains a noteworthy addition to the genre.
On the positive side:
Lineen's prose is captivating and beautifully crafted, transforming the pages into a vivid travel journal.
The author takes us on a journey through the formidable terrain of the Himalayas, providing firsthand insights into the challenges and rewards of trekking.
Detailed descriptions of local life enrich the narrative, offering readers a deeper understanding of the region's cultural tapestry. Moreover, Lineen reflects on the merits and drawbacks of solitary travel and trekking, adding layers of introspection to the narrative.
However, there are some drawbacks:
The lack of a clear timeline for Lineen's journey is a significant drawback. It's only toward the end of the book that we learn the trek occurred around 1999 or earlier. This ambiguity is compounded by the fact that Uttarakhand was established as a separate state in 2000, a detail mentioned in the book. As a result, readers might initially assume the trek took place more recently, potentially leading to confusion.
Lineen's inability to visit key sites like Kedarnath and Badrinath suggests inadequate trip planning, detracting from the overall experience.
In conclusion, "Into the Heart Of The Himalayas" is a well-crafted travel journal that offers glimpses into the awe-inspiring beauty of the Great Himalayas. While it may not entirely meet expectations, it remains a noteworthy addition to the genre.
February 10, 2023
We go through grief everyday, we lose something we thought there was; in us; to us; with us and with the realization of that loss there is an equable feeling of despair and gloom. Losing someone close is the most profound kind of loss, something which shakes you to the very core and makes you question your own delicate life. How difficult it is to build and sustain, how easily things end. Nurturing a human being to even bring them out on earth requires 9 months of intense labor and it just takes a few seconds or minutes for one to perish. Making sense of it can take years, probably a lifetime since there is no justification. We come up with these theories and rationalizations for us to have closure yet the parting away is still real and if left unacknowledged it continues in the backdrop of our life. The defense mechanisms can only hold fort for so long, eventually it has to come to the surface. Jono Lineen was dealing with such a loss of his brother who succumbed to a freak accident. Walking was a meditation for him and doing so in the Himalayas helped. Himalayas have that healing capacity innate in them - the landscape, cold, warm people, silence, they're all great elements for processing complex memories and traumas. I have personally felt great peace in them which attracted me to read this travelogue. It was a little strenuous to maintain attention because of the details and primarily because I haven't read a book of this genre before. Yet the journey within and without that Jono Lineen undertakes is something we can all relate to and find solace with.
July 29, 2025
Fascinating book a memoirvwritten by Jono Lineen. his brother Gareth drowned after a rowing accident. so as part of his grieving, healing process He decided to walk tge length if the Himilayas. Through Pakistan, and through Parts of Northern India into Nepal. Meeting so many different people of all kinds Buddist monks and Hindu Monks and priests.
amazing sights and scenes. walking walking walking lije it was a meditation. So many details especially tge names of villages, mountains rivers and people. Gave up remembering them. Googled a few names of temples, people and mountains.
amazing sights and scenes. walking walking walking lije it was a meditation. So many details especially tge names of villages, mountains rivers and people. Gave up remembering them. Googled a few names of temples, people and mountains.
June 23, 2025
Being an intermittent trekker in the Himalayas, I thoroughly enjoyed *Into the Heart of the Himalayas*. Many places in the book took me back to my own treks through those routes and the experiences I had along the way.
Jono’s journey across the Himalayas from west to east, primarily through the Indian Himalayas, is amazing. The way he documented his experiences with nature and the people from various Himalayan communities is truly captivating.
Jono’s journey across the Himalayas from west to east, primarily through the Indian Himalayas, is amazing. The way he documented his experiences with nature and the people from various Himalayan communities is truly captivating.
April 21, 2018
Without a doubt I loved this recount of a journey through a land I love. Meeting Jono at the BBWF only anchored my appreciation.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews