Over the Top & Back Again
Subtitle: Hiking X the Alps
Publisher: Pilgrim's Tales, Inc.
Published: October 2010
Place of publication: Hawaii
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 241
ISBN-13: 9780977053629
Description: 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 night Wilson chronicled their wild adventures while muscles were still sore and clothes were still wet. It's all here, the triumphs and "agony of de feet," captured in his witty, gritty, award-winning style.

Join this intrepid pair, among the first to tackle this route, as they dig deep to confront their most difficult escapade ever. Inspiring, empowering, humorous, (yet slightly crazed), Over the Top & Back Again sweeps you along for an unforgettable look at the peerless Alps--and at an everyday couple who once again dare to follow their gonzo dream.

Reviews

"This is my favorite kind of adventure tale: Against all odds, in the face of health, weather, interpersonal, navigational and culinary issues, Brandon Wilson and his somewhat reluctant wife hike it because it's there - or, it's supposed to be. I laughed, I winced, and then I started checking to see when I was next scheduled to be anywhere near the Via Alpina." --Kyle Wagner, travel editor, The Denver Post, October 31, 2010

"This lighthearted hiking narrative reflects the positives of such an experience: overcoming hardship, laughing at their inability to find trail blazes, Europe's apparent fear of switchbacks on trails ascending 1000-plus meters per col, and the bond and struggle with your trail partner. Another celebration of simply putting one foot in front of the other with everything you need on your back and faith in the trail ahead....Recommended for armchair travelers and anyone interested in hiking the Alps." --Library Journal, Sheila Kasparek, October 15, 2010

"In upping the venerable French saying, 'jamais deux sans trois,' Brandon Wilson explores not just three, but pushes the alpine experience to extremes by traversing eight countries, and they have been fortunate for this laureate. Brandon Wilson brings his considerable intellect and wry sense of humor to this epic adventure, and the result is brilliantly accessible and wonderfully subversive." --Richard Bangs, adventurer/author of Quest for the Sublime, PEAKS and books that celebrate travel adventure

"Marvelous account...told with a fine eye for detail and a keen sense of humor." --Royal Robbins, legendary American rock climbing pioneer

"Loved Brandon's humor, gutsiness and joie de vivre. My favorite line is, "It's not so much the places you see; it's the folks you meet along the path. Traveling simply, you throw yourself out into the Universe with abandon, depending on fate and the kindness of strangers. Put simply, it means trusting, letting go, and letting life unfold in a natural and beautiful way." --Ron Strickland, founder of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail and author of Leave A Trail National Scenic Trail and author of Leave A Trail
Table of contents: label: Leaps Into Madness; label: Get Lost in Slovenia; label: The Best Laid Plans; label: But Do Ants Have Knees?; label: It’s Always the Little Things; label: Out of the Forest, Not Out of the Woods; label: What’s The Sound of One Man Falling?; label: Beware the Föhn; label: When Cows Fly; label: Mr. Moustache & His Snails; label: The Alpenhorn at Sunset; label: Sumo Cows; label: A Secret Handshake; label: The Dreaded Patous!; label: Flying Monkey Spiders; label: Just the Tick-Talkin’