An "Impossible" Journey of 1,000 Kilometers Began With One Bold Step

YAK BUTTER BLUES: A Tibetan Trek of Faith by Brandon Wilson is an inspiring new book of Tibetan adventure. It exposes the raw challenge of traveling deliberately, one-step-at-a-time on an incredible 1000-kilometer (650-mile) trek across the unforgiving Himalayan plains.

Never Say "Impossible!"

Join this determined man and woman, along with Sadhu, their Tibetan horse, as they set off to attempt to become perhaps the first Western couple to trek this ancient trail across the earth's most remote corner.

What begins as an adventure, quickly turns into so much more. Discovering that Tibetans cannot trek this same pilgrim's trail of faith from Lhasa to Kathmandu, the Wilsons decide to walk it in their place–and prove to the authorities that it can be done without repercussions in China.

Their true story is a riveting tale of human endurance. It also provides a candid first-hand look at the lives of the Tibetan families who secreted them into their homes–and at a culture teetering on the edge of extinction.

What could prepare the couple for what would become the ultimate test of their resolve, love, faith…and very survival?

A 2005 Independent Publisher "IPPY" award winner. Also available in paperback.
New second edition (11/05) ISBN: 0977053660 paperback; 0977053679 hardcover

Reviews:

Richard Bangs, adventurer, author, and producer of Richard Bangs Adventures calls it…"A wonderful and wild read...Brandon Wilson treats the distant worlds of Tibet as places that exist not only in the mathematics of geography, but also in the terra incognita of our imaginations. His writing is charged, alive, and a little threatening. Yak Butter Blues flickers insistently like a flashbulb afterimage in the mind long after the book is tucked away….”

Joseph W. Bean, Book Reviewer, Maui Weekly (Hawaii), calls it…"…A soaring travel diary. It places the reader in the thick of the action every bit as well as Marco Polo transported Italians to China and, as it seems to me, better than Lowell Thomas led readers in the dust of Lawrence of Arabia… Not one reader in a million will ever make the trek, but I don't think any reader - regardless of age or physical ability - will ever read this book without dreaming of the whole trip." (5 out of 5 shakas)

Royal Robbins, world-renowned mountaineer and adventure kayaker, says, "Any doubts I had about reading Yak Butter Blues melted away like yak butter under a hot sun as I came under the spell of Brandon Wilson's lively and vivid prose. He is a fine writer, perceptive, funny, and has a great way with words, making the book a whooping good read--an outstanding production."

Library Journal, said, "Wilson observes the impact of the Chinese occupation on the daily lives of Tibetans, which distinguishes his book from Heinrich Harrer's classic Seven Years in Tibet, which took place before the invasion of China and the fleeing of the Dalai Lama. Recommended for adventure travel and Tibetan culture collections."

Midwest Book Review calls it, "A moving and emotional testimony, and a travelogue that is the next most vivid experience to hiking upon the trail oneself."

Michael Buckley, author of Heartlands-Travels in the Tibetan World and TIBET: the Bradt Travel Guide, says, "Their zany adventures leap from the pages of this book—getting showered in dust, coated in snow, hammered by the wind, getting lost, getting shot at. Told with humour and insight, this vivid narrative allows you to vicariously experience life at true Tibetan pace, one step at a time: so close, you can almost smell the yak butter."

Dan Austin, director of True Fans, says, "Are you ready for a walk? Because it's doubtful after reading "Yak Butter Blues" you'll be able to sit still. The land of the Dalai Lama and Shangri-la calls with a voice too mysterious, too ancient to be ignored. And Brandon and Cheryl are the ideal guides–passionate folks (not corporate-sponsored lackeys) delightedly figuring things out as they execute an improbable hike from Chinese-controlled Lhasa to Kathmandu."

Independent Publisher honored YAK BUTTER BLUES with a 2005 Independent Publisher IPPY Award out of nearly 2,200 entries from 18 countries.

Wanda Adams, Honolulu Advertiser (Gannett), called it, "…A true pilgrimage, one that plumbs the heart of troubled Tibet and teaches impatient and stubborn Westerners to slow down and appreciate this amazing planet."

Jeff Alt, award-winning author of A Walk for Sunshine, says, "Even Indiana Jones would have reconsidered the expedition...The Wilsons journey across Tibet serves as a beacon of light for a repressed people held captive within their own country."

Jim Damico (wanderingtheworld.com), a reader/adventurer, says, "In a world where everything seems out of our control, it is a rare occurrence to read about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Brandon Wilson, in his "Yak Butter Blues" gives us such a book. More like you and me instead of a Livingston or Mallory, Brandon and his wife Cheryl have an idea to walk the ancient pilgrimage route from Kathmandu to Lhasa, and they just do it. "Impossible!" say the Chinese officials, but the simple act of stepping one foot in front of the other is a force more powerful than instant travel in this era of bullet trains and supersonic jets. As a fellow adventurer, my future dreams come from seeds planted by reading about others travels. The wonder about Brandon's book is that he doesn't embellish the highs or ignore the lows. You experience the whole trek, the cold, the hunger, the fear but also the joy, the happiness, the accomplishment of having completed something 'impossible'. Read this book over and over to learn how perseverance in the face of hardship can give us both joy and hope along the road to our futures."

Rebekah Scott, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania), calls it, "…A high-altitude tale of synchronicity, divine providence, begging monks, trigger-happy Chinese soldiers and dehydration."

Jean Aspen, author of Arctic Daughter: a wilderness journey and Arctic Son: fulfilling the dream, says, "A remarkable account of bravery and determination. Wilson leads us through a harsh and beautiful landscape and takes us into the hearts of the people who live there. Time and again he shows us that hardships can become blessings."

BookHeadReview from Chicago (via Amazon.com), calls it…"A COMPELLING ODYSSEY (5 out of 5 stars) This book stimulates the reader's interest in seeing the world...one step at a time. Well done!"

J. Sinclair Oal, Backpacking Light (spring 2005), called it…"A 600-mile foot slog through Tibet in which you can almost smell the dust and feel the blisters. Worth a read by any adventure or travel-trekking novel enthusiast."

Norm Goldman, Editor of Bookpleasures.com, says, "Their lives were reduced to raw essentials - vulnerable and exposed, opening up their eyes as to how half of the world lives and survives. Ultimately, however, what left me with a lasting impression was the author’s summary description of their adventure when he affirms: "the ultimate beauty of walking, of traveling deliberately, one foot in front of the other, was the opportunity to observe and wallow in the minute details of everyday life surrounding them."".

Liz Janes-Brown, The Maui News, calls it…"…The compelling story of single footsteps through a harsh landscape. It's also the story of the Tibetan people – shy, simple rural folk who shared what they had with two foreigners and their pack horse, Sadhu."

Peter Merz, a Swiss reader (via Amazon) says, "This book is much more than just another trek description from far away. Brandon Wilson excellently describes the up and downs, the fears, the joys and the struggles of the hikers during this long distance trek. He succeeds while hiking through this vast country to survey the state of Tibet, which sadly enough is losing its enormous cultural richness at high speed. Yak Butter Blues really touched me in many ways!" (5 out of 5 stars)

Jeri Lynn Crippen, Lovin' Life News (Arizona), called it…"...An enthralling, remarkable trek of fortitude, substance, love and beauty."

M. Moon, via Amazon, said, "A Journey For Everyone! Wilson's brilliantly written, heartfelt book and his determination to follow a dream demonstrates that nothing is impossible. Wilson weaves history, personality, locale and the plethora of human emotion with his adept eye for detail. This couple and their beloved horse, Sahdu, carry us literally into a thrilling and deeper understanding of the word, 'discovery.' Truly, this book is a metaphor for Life. From exalted highs and deepest sorrows, they allow us to travel with them in a remarkably intimate way. They prove that 'being present' has no boundaries, no mystery and no ethnicity. Through their pilgrimage, they teach us the reality, the need, and the responsibility for profound and simple 'touch.' Enlightenment may not be just a matter of looking inward, but looking outward in experiencing the privilege of our common bonds with the rest of the world. I will carry this book and its message with me forever." (5 stars)

John Sebastian, host, WABJ's Morning Show (Michigan), said, "Thanks for bringing this fascinating story to our listeners. The book is "edge of your seat" stuff. We walk along as the two of you venture into history as the first in one category– and as leaders in another. I could taste the bitterness of the "Yak Butter." What a wonderful experience!"

Reiko Matsumoto, Travel Writer Marketletter, calls it…"…A mesmerizing read. This remarkable tale of one of the first trekkers’ survival while "traveling deliberately," one-step-at-a-time, on an incredible odyssey across the vast and lonely country will fill readers with awe and respect."

Marilis Hornidge, The Courier-Gazette (Maine), calls it, "…An awesome (in that old-fashioned use of the word) tale…Brave believing people on both sides of this trek…and a tale that deserves the telling."

Andrew F. O'Hara, author of The Swan: Tales Of The Sacramento Valley, says, "Brandon Wilson is masterful in describing the hardships and trials of his 650-mile journey across Tibet. He's equally adept at describing this harsh yet wondrous, high landscape known as the "roof of the world." Wilson is at his best, however, when he talks about the enchanting warmth of the Tibetan people who, as he and his wife crossed on foot, took them into their homes and shared their culture. Hardly a holiday sightseeing safari, Wilson calls his trek a "walking meditation" in which the couple sees through the dust storms and freezing winds to learn the good will and kindness that has survived generations of oppression. In this strange paradise, Wilson finds commonality with the Tibetans, yet mourns the continuing disappearance of their culture, noting that soon little will remain of it but their ancient yak butter tea. Fortunately, so will his book." (5 stars)

Hannah Nordhaus, Kangri News (International Mountain Explorer's Connection), says,
"If you've traveled independently through Tibet, Brandon Wilson's Yak Butter Blues will bring back memories…this lively memoir is sure to provide a yak-scented whiff of nostalgia."

Nancy Calsbeek, an armchair traveler (who's never hiked a day in her life), from Amazon.com, said… "If there's one book you have to read this year, make it Yak Butter Blues. One man, one woman, one horse. Doing the unthinkable–trekking 1000 kilometers across Tibet. At first I thought, well, this is just another adventure story, which is fine. But it turned out to be much more--and that made it so much more enjoyable. It was adventure, survival, Tibet, intrigue, humor, politics and a spiritual quest all rolled into one…As a woman, for such a physically challenging trip, I was glad the author portrayed his wife Cheryl in such a positive light…She came off as a strong, I-am-woman-hear-me-roar-kind of gal. Definitely a role model for young girls dreaming of roaming the continents!" (5 stars)

Naomi C. Rose, award-winning author of Tibetan Tales for Little Buddhas, calls it…
"Inspiring, Engaging, Compassionate! Brandon Wilson's Yak Butter Blues caught my attention from the first page and kept me engaged throughout. The story and writing had heart, adventure, devotion, and truth. When the book was over, I felt like I had treked with the author and his wife and was sorry it had come to an end. I appreciated the skillful weaving of description of the land, interactions with the people, historical information, personal doubts, and triumphs. This book is a treasure to the Tibetan people and to the rest of the world. It gives us a true glimpse of Tibet and captures a beautiful land and culture that may not be around in years to come. Well done!" (5 stars)

Carolyn Howard-Johnson, award-winning author of This is the Place and Frugal Book Promoter says, "Conquering the impossible. Politics. Inspiration. An incomparable travelogue. Even humor. What more could a reader want from a book called "Yak Butter Blues?""

Verna Eddy, a reader via Amazon.com said, "Brandon transported me to Tibet and I was taken step by grueling step with him, Cheryl and their rugged Tibetan horse Sadhu on their 1000 km trek from Lhasa to Kathmandu that they were told was impossible...This is a heart warming book that proves nothing is impossible and the human body and mind can be stretched to endure and rewarded in ways that uplift the spirit to new heights. The Tibetan people are proof that somehow they will endure and need world support. It is a wonderful book and exciting adventure." (5 stars)

Burl Burlingame, Honolulu Star-Bulletin (Hawaii) calls it, "…Vivid and engaging."

Links

http://www.PilgrimsTales.com

Regional Map Tibet Route Map Introduction Chapter I Never Say Impossible Chapter II A Hundred Yak Butter Lamps Chapter III So Long, Shangri-La Chapter IV If Wishes Were Horses... Chapter V A Crooked Little Finger Chapter VI The Road Less Taken Chapter VII Showdown in Shigatse Chapter VIII Village Of Fear Chapter IX Passes And Passages Chapter X Keeping the Faith Chapter XI Zen Answers Chapter XII In Quest of Mount Everest Chapter XIII A Simple Act of Defiance Chapter XIV Words Of Hope Chapter XV The Snowy Road to Hell Chapter XVI A Bridge to Freedom Chapter XVII "Ghoda! Ghoda! Ghoda!" Chapter XVIII Flags Of Solidarity Epilogue Afterword To Become Involved Suggested Reading About the Author

Promotional Information

2005 Independent Publisher "IPPY" Award (from 2200 entries from 18 countries). Selected as a "Highlighted Title" by Independent Publisher, "recognizing the latest and greatest in independent publishing."

About the Author

BRANDON WILSON is an award-winning author and photographer, internationally published adventure writer, explorer and expert light trekker. A voracious explorer of over ninety countries, he's particularly passionate about inspiring others with the possibility of discovery through long distance trekking. Trekking across Tibet opened his eyes to the deep satisfaction of traveling 'one-step- at-a-time'. By slowing down, he believes we absorb the hidden magic in the world. We travel outside-while traveling within. Besides crossing Tibet, the author has twice hiked the famed Camino de Santiago across Spain, the St. Olav's Way across Norway, and he was the first American to complete the 9th century, 1150-mile Via Francigena trail from England to Rome. He also enjoys wandering long-distance GR trails across Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Tuscany, the Pyrenees, Dolomites and Alps. These physical, mental and spiritual journeys help fuel his irrepressible wanderlust. His first book, Yak Butter Blues: A Tibetan Trek of Faith won an Independent Publisher IPPY Award in 2005 and his latest book, Dead Men Don't Leave Tips: Adventures X Africa, premiered in November 2005. Wilson's photography has received awards from National Geographic Traveler and Islands magazines. The author is a member of The Explorers Club and Artists Without Frontiers. He is an ardent supporter of Tibetan rights.

Reviews

"Wilson observes the impact of the Chinese occupation on the daily lives of Tibetans, which distinguishes his book from Heinrich Harrer's classic Seven Years in Tibet, which took place before the invasion of China and the fleeing of the Dalai Lama. Recommended for adventure travel and Tibetan culture collections." ~ Library Journal "A moving and emotional testimony, and a travelogue that is the next most vivid experience to hiking upon the trail oneself." ~ Midwest Book Review "Any doubts I had about reading Yak Butter Blues melted away like yak butter under a hot sun as I came under the spell of Brandon Wilson's lively and vivid prose. He is a fine writer, perceptive, funny, and has a great way with words, making the book a whooping good read--an outstanding production." ~ Royal Robbins, world-renowned mountaineer and adventure kayaker "...A true pilgrimage, one that plumbs the heart of troubled Tibet..." ~ Honolulu Advertiser (Gannett) "...A high-altitude tale of synchronicity, divine providence, begging monks, trigger-happy Chinese soldiers and dehydration." ~ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA) "...An awesome (in that old-fashioned use of the word) tale...Brave believing people on both sides of this trek...and a tale that deserves the telling." ~ Marilis Hornidge, The Courier-Gazette (Maine) "Told with humour and insight, you experience life at true Tibetan pace: so close, you almost smell the yak butter." ~ Michael Buckley, author of Heartlands-Travels in the Tibetan World "...Vivid and engaging." ~ Honolulu Star-Bulletin (Hawaii) "A wonderful and wild read...Brandon Wilson treats the distant worlds of Tibet as places that exist not only in the mathematics of geography, but also in the terra incognita of our imaginations. His writing is charged, alive, and a little threatening. Yak Butter Blues flickers insistently like a flashbulb afterimage in the mind long after the book is tucked away..." ~ Richard Bangs, adventurer, author, and producer of Richard Bangs Adventures "Are you ready for a walk? Because it's doubtful after reading "Yak Butter Blues" you'll be able to sit still." ~ Dan Austin, director of True Fans "Their journey across Tibet serves as a beacon of light for a repressed people held captive within their own country." ~ Jeff Alt, author of A Walk for Sunshine "A remarkable account of bravery and determination. Time and again Wilson shows us that hardships can become blessings." ~ Jean Aspen, author of Arctic Daughter: a wilderness journey and Arctic Son: fulfilling the dream "...An enthralling, remarkable trek of fortitude, substance, love and beauty." ~ Jeri Lynn Crippen, Lovin' Life News (Arizona) "...A mesmerizing read. This remarkable tale of one of the first trekkers' survival while "traveling deliberately," one-step-at-a-time, on an incredible odyssey across the vast and lonely country will fill readers with awe and respect." ~ Reiko Matsumoto, Travel Writer Marketletter "...A soaring travel diary. It places the reader in the thick of the action every bit as well as Marco Polo transported Italians to China and, as it seems to me, better than Lowell Thomas led readers in the dust of Lawrence of Arabia... Not one reader in a million will ever make the trek, but I don't think any reader - regardless of age or physical ability - will ever read this book without dreaming of the whole trip." (5 out of 5 shakas) ~ Joseph W. Bean, Book Reviewer, Maui Weekly (Hawaii) "Worth a read by any adventure or travel-trekking novel enthusiast." ~ J. Sinclair Oal, Backpacking Light "Edge of your seat" stuff. I could taste the bitterness of the "Yak Butter." What a wonderful experience." ~ John Sebastian, host, WABJ's Morning Show (Michigan) "If you've traveled independently through Tibet, Brandon Wilson's Yak Butter Blues will bring back memories...this lively memoir is sure to provide a yak-scented whiff of nostalgia." ~ Hannah Nordhaus, Kangri News (International Mountain Explorer's Connection) "In a world where everything seems out of our control, it is a rare occurrence to read about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Brandon Wilson, in his "Yak Butter Blues" gives us such a book. More like you and me instead of a Livingston or Mallory, Brandon and his wife Cheryl have an idea to walk the ancient pilgrimage route from Kathmandu to Lhasa, and they just do it. "Impossible!" say the Chinese officials, but the simple act of stepping one foot in front of the other is a force more powerful than instant travel in this era of bullet trains and supersonic jets. As a fellow adventurer, my future dreams come from seeds planted by reading about others travels. The wonder about Brandon's book is that he doesn't embellish the highs or ignore the lows. You experience the whole trek, the cold, the hunger, the fear but also the joy, the happiness, the accomplishment of having completed something 'impossible'. Read this book over and over to learn how perseverance in the face of hardship can give us both joy and hope along the road to our futures." ~ Jim Damico (wanderingtheworld.com) "Brandon Wilson is masterful in describing the hardships and trials of his 650-mile journey across Tibet. He's equally adept at describing this harsh yet wondrous, high landscape known as the "roof of the world." Wilson is at his best, however, when he talks about the enchanting warmth of the Tibetan people who, as he and his wife crossed on foot, took them into their homes and shared their culture. Hardly a holiday sightseeing safari, Wilson calls his trek a "walking meditation" in which the couple sees through the dust storms and freezing winds to learn the good will and kindness that has survived generations of oppression. In this strange paradise, Wilson finds commonality with the Tibetans, yet mourns the continuing disappearance of their culture, noting that soon little will remain of it but their ancient yak butter tea. Fortunately, so will his book." (5 stars) ~ Andrew F. O'Hara, author of The Swan: Tales Of The Sacramento Valley "Inspiring, Engaging, Compassionate! Brandon Wilson's Yak Butter Blues caught my attention from the first page and kept me engaged throughout. The story and writing had heart, adventure, devotion, and truth. When the book was over, I felt like I had trekked with the author and his wife and was sorry it had come to an end. I appreciated the skillful weaving of description of the land, interactions with the people, historical information, personal doubts, and triumphs. This book is a treasure to the Tibetan people and to the rest of the world. It gives us a true glimpse of Tibet and captures a beautiful land and culture that may not be around in years to come. Well done!" (5 stars) ~ Naomi C. Rose, award-winning author of Tibetan Tales for Little Buddhas

Links

Table of Contents

Promotional Information

About the Author

Reviews