Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #157759 in Books
• Published on: 2003-04-24
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Synopsis
When Chris Townsend reached the summit of Ben Hope in Sutherland, he walked his way into the record books. After 118 days in which he had covered more than 1700 miles and climbed over 575,000 feet, he had completed the first single continuous journey of all 277 Munros and 240 Tops in the Scottish Highlands. This is the story of that remarkable walk from the start on Ben More on the Isle of Mull through to the finish, the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest 18 times. For the author, the real enjoyment of the walk was not in counting up the summits or the miles but in spending week after week in the hills and living in the wilds. In "The Munros and Tops", Chris Townsend recalls the joys of observing the birds and animals, the trees and flowers, the changing shapes of the hills and the play of light on their slopes. He writes about the complexities of route-finding and the challenge of rugged terrain and of coping with often atrocious weather conditions.

Customer Reviews

A Mamoth Walk.
I could not agree less with the above review. How can walking 517 Munros and tops ever be called a walk without purpose. It speaks for itself. People who can't see what a challenge and chance to spend a summer in the stunning although sometimes wet Scottish mountains are making comments about their own dulled intellect and lack of vision. Probably doing so from their sofa infront of daytime TV.
Chris Townsend shares his love of all things wild, high mountains, low passes, and just being in the wilds of Scotland. The book contains some stunning pictures too, as he also carried a fair amount of camera equipment during the walk.
I found the book an inspiration to just get out and walk anywhere. Very detailed in route choice and problems encountered during his walk. Spends a fair amount of time discussing his choice of lightweight and specialist equipment used.
Buy it and get your walking books looked out and dusted down.

a must for backpackers and hill walkers
I've read this book twice now and am enthralled with townsends knowledge and love of wild places.After walking a few Munro's myself, i can appreciate how difficult this endeavour was. His easy description of place and setting, put you there beside him through wind sun and snow. This book also inspired me to try a little wild camping, though not on his level! The book is one of three i've read by Townsend and i can heartily recommend the others.The Great Bakpacking adventure, High summer and his Backpacking handbook, a font of outdoor knowledge for aspiring backpackers.

The Munros and Tops
If you are planning a walking trip to any of the Munros and Tops of any length or duration then this book would make a useful addition to your library. Whiclst you'd be hard pressed to use this book as a guide its a story of a walk - Chris does describe in some detail his route. With a good map you should be able to find and foloow any part of the route.
Whilst most of the route is possiable, even Chris needed help at a couple of points. These are described in some detail.
I feel a little rushed. I suspected this is to do with the publishers restrictions on time and length of book.
Munros and Tops is not a book about "climbing" as it says on the back by price. Publishers note, this is a walking book.
The appendices at the back of the book will be most useful. This would give any Munro bagger a good idea of what to take.
Munros and Tops is a good book and well worth reading prior to any walking trip to Scotland. I would also recommend Chris' other book Crossing Arizona, even if you never plan a trip to Arizona. Also check out Chris' Backpackers Handbook.
Chris takes a pretty good photo, for a backpacker!!!, be sure to check the photo pages of Munros and Tops.