Tuesday, 26 February 2013
Scottish Watershed (Peter Wright)
I recently reviewed Dave Hewitt's “Walking the Watershed” walked in 1987 (published 1994) CLICK HERE . Briefly I concluded that Dave gives a highly personal account and strong impression of what it is like to complete a long distance backpacking trip.
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I also enjoyed reading Peter's book recently, but I agree with you about the lack of personal anecdotes that could have made it more engaging.
ReplyDeleteI may get hold of Dave's version, which I think I'd enjoy.
Have you read 'Hell of a Journey' by Mike Cawthorne - that has a few anecdotes and, I think, the thumbs up from Chris Townsend (perhaps because they are friends).
At the moment half way through Dave Hewitt's book,previously unknown to me but on your recommendation, will finish it tonight!
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying the read as I know the areas fairly well from my own Scottish hill explorations. I'm able therefore to get into the way Dave thinks and writes - empathy? What a great walk he has envisaged and achieved. Can't get bothered with why or who thought of the watershed route - it was always there, and nobody can 'claim' it.
Dave's narrative is engaging and would provide stimulus for further exploration of the route for Scottish newcomers.
Phreerunner - Dave's book is easily available on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteI have not read Cawthorne's book but was aware of his trip. It has gone onto my reading list.
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BC - Glad you are enjoying the Hewitt.
The politics are silly, and in particular the nerdy definition of where the watershed goes- when you have a look it is, as far as I can see, indeterminate - a possible subject for some bright youth to use for his PhD? I did sympathise with Hewitt after Wright had failed to acknowledge the previous walkers. I think most people who had achieved such a monumental trip would have piped up and said something, and what he has said has been fairly restrained. Hewitt's walk was a greater achievement than Wright's in that it was continuous.