Over the Top & Back Again

After decades of hiking some of the world's great trails, adventurer and Lowell Thomas award-winning author Brandon Wilson was excited to hear about the Via Alpina, new paths running through eight countries along the backbone of the Alps. Besides promising total immersion into Alpine life and wilderness, he knew it'd be the ultimate adventure. It meant climbing 3000 feet from valley to rugged mountain hut every day--almost 1200 miles--for months. It'd also provide perfect fodder for Wilson's fourth exciting travel adventure book, Over the Top & Back Again: Hiking X the Alps. Originally, Wilson envisioned it as a European Appalachian Trail, only with better food and wine. Faster than you can say "schnitzel," he coaxed his desk-jockey wife into leaving their cozy Hawaiian home to join him. Brandon & his wife Cheryl left Trieste in June 2009 to begin their 111-day thru-hike across Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France, and Monaco-planning to arrive at the Mediterranean Sea in September before snow covered the trail. Unlike their historic 1992 trek across Tibet, they wouldn't dodge bullets. But given the climbs, they'd sure miss Sadhu, their Tibetan equine Sherpa. It was an expedition of highs and lows. The couple trekked the equivalent of halfway across the U.S. over mountain terrains in extreme conditions, from freezing temperatures high atop Alpine passes to dreaded Föhn winds, hail, ice fields, snow, and more than 40 days of rain--and this was summer weather. As always, there were injuries plus the daily mental challenge of completing 20 kilometers, a virtual marathon, knowing it meant climbing yet another formidable mountain again tomorrow. For the record, they ascended and descended 700,000 feet total--the equivalent of climbing 12 Mt. Everests from sea level in just 3 1/2 months. Then again, who knew lethal ticks and cow patties could prove even more dangerous? However, it was far from all pain and peril as they hiked in the shadows of Mt. Blanc, the Eiger, Mt. Triglav and the Dolomite Range. Little could compare with the rarefied beauty, serenity, wildlife, legends, delicious cuisine and eccentric folks they'd find along the way. And what a unique and ecological way to witness Alpine culture-one-step-at-a-time. Wilson's keen eye and dry wit captures it all in Over the Top & Back Again, as they witness the Alp's changinglifestyle and fragile landscape. As with the other three books in this exciting adventure series, each

שנה

2010

שפה

English

הוצאה

Pilgrim's Tales, Inc.

מהדורות

3

עמודים

238

ISBN

9780977053636

מקור הנתונים: Wikidata