Camps and Trails in China A Narrative of Exploration, Adventure, and Sport in Little-Known China

Camps and Trails in China offers a vivid narrative of the 1916-17 Asiatic Zoological Expedition led by Roy Chapman Andrews, aiming to explore and collect mammalian specimens in little-known Chinese provinces such as Yün-nan and Fukien. The expedition team, including Andrews, his wife Yvette Borup Andrews as photographer, collector Edmund Heller, and Chinese interpreter Wu Hung-tao, navigated difficult terrain, political turmoil, and cultural complexities over the course of a year.

The journey began amid the political chaos following Yuan Shi-kai’s failed attempt to become emperor, with the expedition traveling from New York across the Pacific and arriving in China during rebellion and unrest. Their route took them through cities like Peking, Foochow, Yen-ping, Ta-li Fu, Li-chiang Fu, and into remote mountain regions, where they faced brigand attacks, harsh weather, and logistical challenges such as unreliable transport and difficult mountain passes.

Throughout the expedition, the narrative balances detailed natural history with human stories. Andrews and his team hunted elusive species such as gorals, serows, sambur deer, and tigers—including the mysterious 'blue tiger'—while also documenting small mammals, bats, and birds. The hunting scenes are rich with descriptions of steep mountain climbs, fog, and the use of native hunters and dogs, highlighting the physical and mental demands of the work. The team also collected specimens with scientific rigor, preparing habitat groups and preserving animals for museum study.

Cultural encounters are a major thread. The expedition met a variety of native tribes like the Lolo, Moso, Shan, and Lutzus, each with distinct customs, languages, and hunting traditions. The narrative includes observations of village life, tattooing, religious practices, and social rituals such as Chinese funeral ceremonies and ancestor worship. Missionaries appear as compassionate figures who mediate conflicts and endure isolation. The team also contended with local officials, some corrupt mandarins, and British colonial authorities in border regions.

Political unrest deeply affected the expedition. The Yen-ping rebellion brought violence and refugees, forcing the team to navigate tense situations involving soldiers, brigands, and local populations. The narrative does not shy away from depicting the hardships faced by locals under oppressive soldiers and the dangers posed to the expedition.

Travel conditions were often grueling: extreme heat and humidity in Fukien, snow and altitude sickness in the mountains, and unreliable native guides and carriers. Despite these, the expedition was marked by moments of humor, warmth, and camaraderie—such as Christmas celebrations in the field and affectionate care for a bear cub that became a traveling companion.

The tone throughout is adventurous and descriptive, with respect for the natural world and the people encountered, tempered by critical reflections on corruption, superstition, and social customs. The narrative invites readers to appreciate the complexity of exploration, the interplay of science and culture, and the persistence required to pursue knowledge in challenging environments.

By the end, the expedition returns with extensive collections, photographs, and films, having traversed a vast and little-known region during a turbulent historical moment. The book closes with a reflective farewell to the East, underscoring the emotional ties formed through hardship and discovery.