Over the Top & Back Again: Hiking X the Alps





After hiking some of the world’s great trails, Brandon Wilson was excited to hear about the Via Alpina, new paths running across eight countries along the backbone of the Alps. Besides promising immersion into Alpine life and wilderness, it’d be the ultimate adventure. It meant climbing 3000 feet from valley to mountain hut every dayâ€"1200 milesâ€"for months.

Optimistically, 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 joining him. Unlike their trek across Tibet, the couple wouldn’t dodge bullets. But who knew ice fields, relentless rain, Föhn winds, lethal ticks and cow patties could be more dangerous. Then again, the beauty, weird situations and bizarre characters they’d meet would help put peril into perspective.

It’s all here, the daily triumphs and agony of de feet, captured in Wilson’s witty, gritty, award-winning style. Over the Top & Back Again sweeps you along for an inspiring, yet slightly crazed look at the peerless Alpsâ€"and at an everyday couple who dare to follow their most gonzo dream.

Written by Brandon Wilson, the Lowell Thomas Award-winning author of Along the Templar Trail, which was named 2009 Best Travel Book by the Society of American Travel Writers. It is fourth in his series of true travel adventures. Over the Top & Back Again: Hiking X the Alps is the first Via Alpina travelog published in English. It includes 53 photos, maps and exclusive illustrations by Ken Plumb for the adventurer in all of us.

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 â€" 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

"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, author of Quest for the Sublime, PEAKS and other books that celebrate travel and adventure

“Marvelous account of a long hike…told with a fine eye for detail and a keen sense of humor.” ~ Royal Robbins, legendary mountaineer/pioneer of American rock climbing

“Informative, entertaining, and original. Award-winning author Brandon Wilson is a pioneer in a groundbreaking genre of travel writing.” ~ Richard R. Blake, Midwest Book Review

“It's great fun trekking through the Alps with the Wilsons…They do all the hard work â€" and we get all the pleasures â€" all rendered with warmth, insight and humor in Brandon’s inimitable style.” ~ Rick Chatenever, Entertainment & Features Editor, The Maui News

“Wilson walks the way Forrest Gump runs. He's driven to it…As for the connection between the outer journey and the inner journey, Wilson never pushes it. You get it in small bits, as he does, because that's the way it comes. It has a lot to do with savoring the simple pleasures of life that surround us every day. Wilson's books point the way toward this happy state of mind: just be bold and endure a few vicissitudes.” ~ Stephen Hartshorne, GoNOMAD.com

“Loved Brandon’s humor, gutsiness and joie de vivre.” ~ Ron Strickland, founder of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail and author of Leave A Trail

“Fascinating and harrowing tale. …A MUST READ for hikers, travelers, outdoors people and adventurers.” ~ Bonnie Neely, RealTravelAdventures.com









List Price: $ 14.95



Price: $ 13.45