Footprints On The Mountains... The News From The Pyrenees

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The Pyrenees are a landscape of striking beauty and stark austerity, shaped by centuries of labor and marked by human suffering. In "Footprints on the mountains," Steve Cracknell embarks on a journey along the Spanish high-level Senda to witness the region's changes. This narrative follows an aging hiker through a long and sometimes challenging trek. Along the way, he converses with locals and encounters a colorful array of fellow hikers. Amidst the heights, he finds solitude, sharing the terrain with "marmottes" and "sarrios." He explores the debate surrounding bear reintroduction and seeks out ibex introduced through a rewilding initiative. The tale weaves in bear festivals, witch trials, and the plight of refugees, all set against the backdrop of stunning locations like the World Heritage Ordesa canyon and the winding waters of Aiguestortes. This narrative is more than a mere exploration of the ancient wild in today's world; it serves as an invitation for anyone dreaming of escaping to the hills. Review by Humphrey Weightman on Amazon: "Absolutely first class – recommended without hesitation. I enjoyed it immensely… This is not just a macho trail journal; Steve engages deeply with diverse individuals, bringing a humanistic sensibility to environmental, historical, political, and artistic matters, infused with wry humor. Detailed passages about La Senda will interest both newcomers and seasoned veterans alike." For more