PAUL PRITCHARD – THE MOUNTAIN PATH
The Mountain Path is Paul Pritchard’s fourth
publication. A very different read from his previous books, Deep Play, The
Totem Pole and The Longest Climb. This is the continuing story on his
long recovery from a near fatal accident whilst climbing The Totem Pole over 20
years ago. Paul was left with severe injuries after a rock fall hit him whilst
climbing this sea stack in Tasmania. His injuries left him hemiplegic,
paralysis down the right side of his body. This new title deals with his
spiritual and psychological road to recovery.
Reading the various endorsements on the back cover of the
book there are some very famous names from the climbing community. Praise
indeed to Paul’s achievements and his amazing determination, mindset and to get
back to his mountain exploits.
Th Mountain Path is not full of hardcore rock
climbing and mountaineering stories. Pritchard delves into his psychology,
meditation and spirituality to overcome his physical limitations. His positive
outlook and determination beams through, despite his disabilities. One of his
many adventures he describes is his cycle expedition across Tibet on a specially
adapted recumbent tri-cycle. During rest days on this gruelling bike ride he
becomes more and more involved in the Buddhism philosophy on life. Throughout
the book Pritchard takes us back to some key moments in his life to give the
reader some excellent background reading if you haven’t already read his previous
three books. He dips into his bold climbing achievements and lifestyle prior to
his accident. This gives the reader some context of his many climbing accolades
and how driven a person he was and indeed still his. It is clear that his
disabilities were never going to stop his drive and determination for climbing
and other extraordinary achievements.
From his writing and references it is obvious he’s
undertaken a vast amount of research in many spheres of psychology, spirituality,
meditation and religious study. He draws upon these to fulfil his adventures
and determination to lead a normal life and deal with his hemiplegia.
A thought provoking read.
If you haven’t read Paul Pritchard’s other award-winning
books then you may well after this latest work. Another excellent book.
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