Hawaii Author Brandon Wilson Embarks on 2,700-Mile Pilgrimage Trek for Peace to Jerusalem

Hawaii author/photographer Brandon Wilson prepares to set off on the trek of a lifetime–a 2,700-mile walking pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Asked why, Wilson replied, “First of all, I see this particular walk as a trek for peace. But as much as we pay lip service to peace, I believe it must come from within, one person at a time. On these treks, I find that peace. I find solitude when I disconnect from the buzz and din of an ever-more loud and chaotic world and unplug, even for just a little while. There is clarity and deep satisfaction as I travel outside while traveling within. Long-distance walking is a sort of trampoline for the heart and soul.”

Maui, Hawaii (PRWEB) April 5, 2006 -- Hawaii author/photographer Brandon Wilson is preparing to set off on the trek of a lifetime. Beginning in late April, the explorer will depart from Dijon, France on a 2,700-mile walking pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Accompanied by a French friend, they anticipate arriving in Israel by October.

Their route will approximate one taken during the Middle Ages by fellow pilgrims in their quest to reach the Holy Land. Leaving France, they will trace the Danube Valley through Germany and Austria to Budapest, Hungary then travel south through Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey and the Middle East.

Wilson is no novice to these types of journeys. It’s his passion. He has already walked three of the most important trails in early European history, trekking the Camino de Santiago 500-miles across northern Spain (twice), the St. Olav’s Way 450-miles across Norway, and he was the first American to walk the 1150-mile Via Francigena from Canterbury, England to Rome.

However, this latest trek will be the most formidable, taking them across a variety of challenging terrains on days that range from near-freezing to 100+ degrees (F). These modern pilgrims will walk 25-55 kilometers daily. Wilson will travel “light” and carry no more than 12-pounds on his back for the 5-month odyssey. At night, true to the “peregrino” tradition, they will sleep in monasteries, in churches and convents. When not available, they will stay in modest hostels or pensiones -- or depend on the kindness of strangers.

Asked why he takes these treks, Wilson replied, “First of all, I see this particular walk as a trek for peace. Today, more than ever, there is escalating violence and injustice in the world. War simply multiplies the misery and suffering for so many -- and for so many generations to come. But as much as we pay lip service to peace, I believe it must come from within, one person at a time. On these treks, I find that peace. I find solitude when I disconnect from the buzz and din of an ever-more loud and chaotic world and unplug, even for just a little while. There is clarity and deep satisfaction as I travel outside while traveling within. Long-distance walking is a sort of trampoline for the heart and soul.”

These backpacking journeys for Wilson and his wife Cheryl began with their 650-mile walk across Tibet on an ancient Buddhist pilgrimage route with their horse Sadhu in 1992. As probably the first Westerners to walk this path from Lhasa, Tibet to Kathmandu, Nepal, they felt the pain from brutal temperatures, 17,000-foot altitudes, illnesses, slow-starvation, sandstorms, blizzards and Chinese bullets. Yet, staying with local Tibetan families, they also re-learned the meaning of faith and to never accept “Impossible.” The story of their inspiring trek is intimately detailed in Wilson’s 2005 IPPY award-winning book, "Yak Butter Blues: A Tibetan Trek of Faith."

He recently followed it up with another travel adventure book. "Dead Men Don’t Leave Tips: Adventures X Africa" details the joys and pains of crossing Africa on a 7-month odyssey.

Mayra Calvani, Midwest Book Review (April 2006) recently said,"What’s striking about Wilson’s books (he’s also the author of the IPPY Award winner Yak Butter Blues) is that his journeys are not only physical but highly spiritual as well. His are journeys of body and soul in every sense of the word."

Although not his primary objective, Wilson plans to write another book about his experiences along this particular trail upon his return, and perhaps convince others that their own particular peace may be achieved -- one step-at-a-time -- no matter where they wander.

Wilson is a member of the prestigious Explorers Club and Artists Without Frontiers. His Continental Divide footwear for the 2700-mile journey is being generously provided by Montrail of Seattle, Washington. Super Makalu Air Thermo trekking poles have been kindly donated by LEKI USA.

For a look at all of Wilson’s books, photos and articles about this and past journeys, please visit: http://www.PilgrimsTales.com.

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