Rucksack Masochist

The Rucksack Man

Sebastian Snow      Hodder and Stoughton, 1976

A masochist, but a funny one, British adventurer Snow walked from the tip of South America through the continent northwards to cross the Panama Canal, his line of demarcation.  His 2001 obituary explains some of the details of the aftermath of the long walk, not contained in the book.  

Never accepting a ride, marching at a furious pace burdened by heavy gear and always low on water, Snow was lucky to survive.  His mighty will drove him on.   The photograph of his feet after months on the road is unforgettable.  

Walking Across Mongolia & China

The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom

Slavomir Rawicz   Lyons Press, 1997 (orig pub 1956)

Shivering and staggering, this group of escapees from a Siberian gulag make their way across Mongolia and China, south through Nepal and across the Himalayas to India.  The journey takes years and the hardships defy comprehension.  An inspiring read for anyone who thinks you need high-tech gear to walk long distances.

Walking the Camino to Santiago

 

 

Pilgrimage to the End of the World

Conrad Rudolph, Univ. Chicago Press, 2004

Art history professor walks the Camino on the traditional path from Le Puy in South Central France, continuing to St. Jean Pied du Port and westward across northern Spain. During the thoughtfully written and mercifully brief narrative (given the length of the journey), the author reflects on significant characters and buildings encountered along the route.  There’s a lyrical meditation on the intersection of physical exertion and spiritual growth. Useful list of resources and how-to information for those contemplating the journey.

Walking in France

Walking in France

Sandra Bardwell, Miles Roddis, Gareth McCormack, Jean-Bernard Carillet, Laurence Billiet, Tony Wheeler  – authors.  Lonely Planet, 2000

Detailed travel guide to hikes ranging from a few hours to several days in 13 regions in France.  25 pages dedicated to Pyrenees, ignores Basque country for some reason.

  General travel information for visitors to France who intend to make the most of the fantastic hiking paths.

Penniless In America

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The Kindness of Strangers

Penniless Across America

Mike McIntyre * Berkley Books, 1996 * 246 pages $12.00

Brother can you spare a dime? One man’s journey across the United States says Americans are still open hearted, will help a stranger in need. Mike McIntyre, a successful journalist with a yen for adventure, traveled without money and accepted none from the people he met. Told with wry wit, these portraits of the Americans who give Mike rides, food, and shelter for the night offer a glimpse of life in the flatlands. Mike meets some bad characters too, narrowly avoiding scary trouble, a couple of times. He’s harassed by police on the edge of one town, but given shelter by different cops elsewhere. Though most of the people who offer Mike food and shelter are usually poor, sometimes he’s surprised and receives assistance from a wealthy family.

 

He learns more about Christian believers who are quick to help him and they learn that a human professing no religion can be respectable and happy. The narrative is a can’t-put-it-down read which explores themes of faith, gratitude and a hunger for the surprises dished out on the unknown road.  

 

A few years ago, I worked with Mike on a news desk at the Washington Post — tough to find a cooler guy, true man of letters who can write about theater, art, sports or crime with informed ease.

   Read a longer article about Mike McIntyre  Salon

High Points in DC

High points in DC

That central obelisk, the Washington Monument, is topped by a pyramid of aluminium? At the time the monument was completed aluminum was considered a precious metal. The pyramid at the point is lightweight and serves as a lightening rod.

The Washington Monument is the tallest structure in the capital city: 555 feet tall and 55 feet across each of four sides. 365 steps up.  The U.S. Capitol building lies to the east on the horizon.

 

Plans are floating to open up the space around the National Mall eliminating the bunker of the FBI building and adding a Metro stop near the Jefferson Memorial.  Some contend that the redesign scheme will corral protests and public assemblies to a limited area?  What about our right to freely assemble?

Double 00 Books!

 Join the discussion on books and adventure travel.  

One of my favorite books about walking is Miles Morland’s A Walk Across France.   Bloomsbury Books, 1992  New York Times review

An out-of-shape British advertising executive and his French wife hoist rucksacks and walk towards the Atlantic Ocean from Gruissan-Plage near Narbonne on the Mediterranean to Capbreton, north of Bayonne, a distance of 553 km.  Their route takes them along country roads and through farm villages.  It’s hot and dusty, but they slake their thirst with lots of wine.