The Hairy Hikers: A Coast-to-Coast Trek Along the French Pyrenees

A humorous, reflective, often poignant account of two increasingly hairy hikers' coast-to-coast trek along the length of the French Pyrenees, revealing the history and geography along the way

With a glint in his eye, Rob turns and asks me if I want to "touch his furry puma." We are only hours into the trip and things have already taken a sinister turn. Thankfully, it turns out he is referring to the little embossed logo on his new shirt.

Fueled by a degree of midlife crisis and the need to escape from routine, armed with rusty schoolboy French and plenty of schoolboy humor, friends David and Rob set out to walk the fabled GR10 hiking trail, a French footpath running the length of the Pyrenees Mountains. It will take them from the Hendaye on the Atlantic coast to Banyuls-sur-Mer on the Mediterranean, through beautiful scenery and one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in Europe. Just about perfect—if you can put aside the inevitable snoring-induced conflict and bad habits that result from two men spending more than seven weeks in each other's company. This tale will appeal to weekend walkers, serious trekkers, and all who simply enjoy a good story of human endeavor and foolishness