What is the author's style in The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen?

Peter Matthiessen is able to offer a great deal of objective perspective on the trek in "Snow Leopard" due to his illustrious background and scientific experience. As an avid hiker, Matthiessen is less likely to succumb to some of the rigors of the trip, although the bitter cold and rugged terrain take a definite toll, even on the sherpas and porters who make their living by making these journeys on a regular basis.

Matthiessen's take on the journey shows his background as a prolific novelist and non-fiction author. The descriptions of the scenery, terrain, weather, people and wildlife give a clear picture to the reader about the crux of the trek and how it affected each of the people present during the journey into, over and out of the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau.

Matthiessen is well known for his work on tribal cultures such as the Native Americans and offers rare insight into every aspect of the Nepalese culture, from the lives of the villagers to those of the lamas and residents of holy institutions such as the Crystal Mountain Monastery.

Matthiessen does turn to subjectivity when it comes to his personal experiences on the trek. The previous year, Matthiessen lost his wife Deborah to cancer and grief often colors the author's perception of his surroundings.