Yak Butter Blues [Paperback]

Brandon Wilson (Author, Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005

What does it take to survive? More than you could fathom. "YAK BUTTER BLUES: A Tibetan Trek of Faith" (an IPPY award winner), is an inspiring true story. Join a tenacious man, woman and their Tibetan horse as they set off to become the first Western couple to trek an ancient 1000-kilometer trail across the wilds of Tibet. Their incredible odyssey provides a riveting tale of human endurance and an intimate first-hand look at the valiant struggle of the Tibetan culture to survive – as well as at the humanity connecting us all.

"Wilson observes the impact of the Chinese occupation on the daily lives of Tibetans... Recommended for adventure travel and Tibetan culture collections." ~ LIBRARY JOURNAL

"An engrossing, fascinating read sure to be relished by those readers interested in adventure travel and the Tibetan culture. It is also a highly spiritual story of faith which reminds us that nothing is really impossible..." ~ MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

"A hair-raising yarn...a high-altitude tale of synchronicity, divine providence, begging monks, trigger-happy Chinese soldiers and dehydration." ~ PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE

"You can almost smell the dust and feel the blisters. Worth a read by any adventure or travel-trekking novel enthusiast." ~ BACKPACKING LIGHT MAGAZINE

"A true pilgrimage, one that plumbs the heart of troubled Tibet..." ~ HONOLULU ADVERTISER

"A wonderful and wild read...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/Producer Richard Bangs ADVENTURES

"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." ~ Joseph W. Bean, MAUI WEEKLY

"Told with humor 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." ~ Michael Buckley, author, TIBET: THE BRADT TRAVEL GUIDE

"Inspiring, Engaging, Compassionate! 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!" ~ Naomi C. Rose, author, TIBETAN TALES FOR LITTLE BUDDHAS

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A remarkable account of bravery and determination..Time and again he (Wilson) shows us that hardships can become blessings." -- Jean Aspen, author of Arctic Daughter: a wilderness journey and Arctic Son: fulfilling the dream

"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." -- Wanda Adams, Honolulu-Advertiser

"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

"If you've traveled independently through Tibet...this lively memoir is sure to provide a yak-scented whiff of nostalgia." -- Hannah Nordhaus, Kangri News (International Mountain Explorer's Connection, March 2004)

"Not a guidebook or travel manual, "Yak Butter Blues" is the compelling story of single footsteps through a harsh landscape." -- Liz Janes-Brown, The Maui News, November 21, 2004

"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

"Recommended for adventure travel and Tibetan culture collections." -- Sheila Kasperek, Library Journal

"An engrossing, fascinating read sure to be relished by those readers interested in adventure travel and Tibetan culture. It is also a highly spiritual story of faith which reminds us that nothing is really impossible, that obstacles are often magnified in the human mind, and that the journey is far more important than the destination itself." --Midwest Book Review, Mayra Calvani

"I came under the spell of Brandon Wilson's lively and vivid prose. He is a fine writer--perceptive, funny, a great way with words--making the book a whooping good read." --Royal Robbins, renowned mountaineer, author, adventure kayaker

"A high-altitude tale of synchronicity, divine providence, begging monks, trigger-happy Chinese soldiers and dehydration." --Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"A wonderful and wild read...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, world-class adventurer/co-founder of Mountain Travel Sobek/author and host of the PBS TV series Adventures With Purpose

"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 better than Lowell Thomas led readers in the dust of Lawrence of Arabia." --Joseph Bean, Book Reviewer, Maui Weekly

From the Publisher

A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND KILOMETERS BEGAN WITH ONE BOLD STEP.

Author Brandon Wilson and his wife Cheryl challenge the "impossible" and set off on an incredible 1000-kilometer (650-mile) odyssey on foot across Tibet. Join their adventure from Lhasa to Kathmandu, as they become the first Western couple to make this perilous trek across the unforgiving, windswept Himalayan plains.

What begins as an adventure, quickly turns into much more. Discovering that Tibetans are forbidden to trek this same pilgrim's trail, the Wilsons decide to walk it in their place-and prove to the authorities that it can be done without repercussions in China.

YAK BUTTER BLUES is a remarkable tale of survival. Alone, with only their stalwart Tibetan horse Sadhu, the Wilsons face Tibet's ruthless environment head-on: the blistering winds, extreme temperatures, sandstorms, blizzards, high altitudes and thinnest of air. Those conditions are made all the more challenging by exhaustion, hunger, illness, inflexible bureaucrats and trigger-happy soldiers.

YAK BUTTER BLUES is an inspiring story of faith and the kindness of strangers. The land and climate leave their imprints daily. However, an even more lasting impression is created by the Tibetan monks and generous villagers eager to share what little they possess: yak butter tea, the warmth of their family's fire and steadfast faith in the Dalai Lama's return.

YAK BUTTER BLUES paints a gripping portrait of a Tibetan culture pushed to the brink of extinction by Communist occupation for over fifty years.

YAK BUTTER BLUES is an intimate tale of personal enlightenment. Along the path, the couple gains a sense of greater purpose, wonder, renewed faith-and ultimately discover what it takes to endure.

Join their riveting physical, spiritual and emotional pilgrimage, through the highs and lows, across a vanishing land in this classic Tibetan tale.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Pilgrim's Tales, Inc.; 2 edition (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977053660
• ISBN-13: 978-0977053667
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,141,155 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( D ) > Dalai, Lama
  • #69 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( B ) > Buddha

More About the Author

I had my first taste of life on the road at six--and haven't stopped. It began in an old red and white Chevy, with a burlap-covered water bag strapped onto the front grill. With my father behind the wheel, we sailed wide-eyed across the wide expanse of an uncluttered America and I was hooked on travel--my sweet addiction.

Writing true travel adventures has given me the rare opportunity to combine my two greatest passions: travel and writing. Now there are four books in my adventure travel series that shed light on choosing roads less taken and never saying "impossible" to our most outlandish dreams.

"Yak Butter Blues," my first book, is about a historic 650-mile trek that my wife and I made in 1992 across the wild Himalayan plains from Lhasa to Kathmandu. Facing lung-burning altitudes, slow starvation, dehydration, blizzards, and bullets, every day became an exercise in survival, trust and "letting go". Relying on the kindness of strangers, we were soon taken into Tibetan homes where we witnessed their bravery in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Now it's published in a new Spanish edition translated by Ramon Solé and friends.

My next travel adventure book, "Dead Men Don't Leave Tips: Adventures X Africa," chronicles a crazed seven-month overland journey from London to Cape Town across some of the wildest regions of Africa with the most bizarre traveling companions. Warning: This is not the postcard perfect Africa of travel magazines. This is the raw, gritty Africa that travel guides only warn you about.

Yes, travel changes you. Yet our travel can impact others. In 2006, a friend and I set off on 2620-mile trek from France to Jerusalem to re-create the route of the First Crusades--and to transform it into a modern path of peace. The exciting step-by-step account of our inspiring journey, "Along the Templar Trail" interweaves adventure, history, Knights Templar, politics, and mysticism into a tale that makes you feel as if you're walking with us. I was heartened to hear that it recently won the 2009 Lowell Thomas Gold Award for Best Travel Book from the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation. Now it's been published in a new German edition ("Auf dem Templerweg") translated by Imke Healy.

Finally, I've just finished writing my fourth book in this series of true travel adventures. "Over the Top & Back Again" is different in many ways. It chronicles a trans-Alp trek my wife and I completed last fall - a hike across eight countries from Trieste to Monaco on the Via Alpina. Moving at high altitudes, hut-to-hut, it was the most difficult journey we've taken. Imagine 111 days of rain, mud, deadly ticks, crumbling trails, and climbs (and descents) of 3,000-feet each day, then add the awesome beauty, weird characters, culture (and food) of the Alps. Yet it's a more humorous look at the Alps (everyone needs to laugh more these days)--as well as at our typically head-long rush to reach for another gonzo dream. Incidentally, it's the first Via Alpina travelogue published in English and it recently won the 2010 Book of the Year Bronze Award (travel essay category) by ForeWord Reviews.

All of my books include photos and maps. They have all been released in Kindle editions.

Join me on these unforgettable step-by-step journeys. And never miss the chance to follow your own dreams.

To talk about my books and learn more, please join me on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brandon-Wilson-Adventure-Travel-Author/156521417709244?ref=ts

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Lhasa to Kathmandu, March 23, 2006

By 

Cathy L. Yanda (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yak Butter Blues (Paperback)

..."Look, you two, I don't think this has ever been done before-and there must be more than one good reason why."...It's a good thing author Brandon Wilson and his wife, Cheryl, didn't take these words to heart or I wouldn't have been able to go along with them on their adventure from Lhasa to Kathmandu. While I may never get there in person, I feel as though I have met the people of Tibet and seen everything they did while staying out of the freezing cold. I read this book, slowly, savoring from the first "Tashi Delek!" to the last "Namaste". I came to love Sadhu, the wandering holy man, so much that I was close to tears near the end of the story.

Traveling with Brandon and Cheryl, and the people they meet along the way and share their adventure with, for 650 miles across an ancient pilgrim's trail is exhilarating. You will enjoy the way things open up to them as minor successes happen to allow them to trek across Tibet, visiting beautiful Buddhist monasteries and passing out pictures of the Dalai Lama to those who helped them along the way. While experiencing much success, they also experienced getting shot at, getting caught in a blizzard and a sandstorm, not having enough to eat or drink, getting lost, Cheryl getting bitten by a dog, and much more. The one thing that stayed constant, besides their determination, was the Yak Butter the book is named for.

...Like Henry David Thoreau's noble quest to "live life deliberately"..."Yak Butter Blues author, Brandon Wilson, teaches us just that...open your life to adventure, seek it out, find something that suits you and jump in with both feet...don't stop to think or to over-plan. If you do, your logic could take over and you would miss all the fun! Pick up two copies of this book...one for yourself and another for a friend. You will both be glad you did. Thank you Brandon and Cheryl for sharing a once-in-a-lifetime trip!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yak Butter Blues by Brandon Wilson, April 21, 2005

By 

Verna H. Eddy - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yak Butter Blues: A Tibetan Trek of Faith (Paperback)

Brandon transpoted me to Tibet and I was taken step by grueling step with him and Cheryl and their rugged Tibetan horse Sadhu on their 1000 km trek from Lhasa to Kahtmandu that they were told was impossibe.

The trip had to be completed before the mountain passes were snowed in so they had about six weeks so they had to walk eighteen miles a day on dirt roads thru tracherous mountain passes at very high altitudes encountering the unpredictable Chinese military.

At the end of each day there was always a surprise lodgeing,with very meager sustenance but always they were welcomed by Tibetan families who shared what they had.

This is a heart warming book that proves nothing is impossible and the human body and mind can be stretched to endure and 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.

Verna Eddy

Kailua Hi

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Breathtaking Read, January 1, 2007

By 

Andy O'Hara "Badge of Life Foundation" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yak Butter Blues (Paperback)

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.