Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsAdventure in the French Alps
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2017
This absorbing book by young American Jonathan Arlan, 29, from Kansas City, who after spending time working in New York, decides to have a go at the Grand Traverse of the Alps, in SE France. Although he had been to Europe several times and even spent some time in Japan, he had not had much experience mountain walking or climbing.
The historic walking route in the French Alps is from the southern end of Lake Geneva, to the city of Nice, on the Mediterranean. He asked several friends and family members to accompany him on this adventure, but they all declined.
Although it was summer time, it was too cold to sleep outdoors at night because of the altitudes, but all along the route are refuges, specially built for travellers. But you had to book in advance. It was a surprise to learn that walking downhill is more dangerous and precarious than going uphill and that even a young and fit person needs two walking sticks ! He suffered sore legs and feet and at times asked himself 'what am I doing here !'
But he eventually made it and was able to go for a swim in the warm Mediterranean.
The book would have been enhanced with a map of the route and perhaps a few pictures of the magnificent scenery.
