Philip Amdal has seen the world’s greatest mountain range in a way few others have–driving 5,000 miles of narrow, treacherous roads in the northern Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, and Himachal Pradesh. The Seattle photographer draws upon 40 years of experience on the Indian subcontinent in his first book, Motoring in the Indian Himalayas, based on month-long trips in 2007 and 2009. His indelible photos capture the grandeur of peaks that soar nearly 7,000 meters, whose glaciers feed two of Asia’s major rivers, the Ganges and Brahmaputra. The book also chronicles the humanity of those who carve out life in this unforgiving environment: farmers winnowing rice in a stiff mountain breeze; women stooping, laboring to repair a road stone by stone; hand-painted signs on a sheer rock face urging drivers’ caution. In addition to tonight’s launch party and signing, framed photos from Amdal’s 100-plus-page book will be available for sale. MICHAEL MAHONEY

Thu., Oct. 7, 5-8 p.m.; Oct. 8-17, 2010