This book is the story of a man in search of meaning, carried by the wild beauty of the Alps: the Via Alpina. This crossing of the Alpine arc extends from the Adriatic coast (Muggia in Italy) to the Mediterranean (Monaco), over more than 2000 kilometers, 8 countries, 120,000 meters of altitude difference. Here is the longest Great Hiking trail in Europe! This is the path that Patrice Ponza chose to walk, to rebuild himself. He did not experience this adventure as a sporting feat, but as a real therapy! “Walking alone is walking free. Free to write sweet words on the dark pages of life.” Patrice took the time to contemplate nature. Step by step, over three months, the Alpine massifs (Triglav, Dolomites, Jungfrau, Mont-Blanc, Vanoise) forged his curiosity, his patience, his perseverance. The hiker overcame everything: weather conditions, solitude, exhaustion… A wonderful and unforgiving environment, conducive to personal transformation. Every day, Patrice stayed the course, he moved forward with conviction, to fully experience this time of reflection that he imposed on himself. One step after another, the moments of doubt, fatigue, discouragement, gave way to discernment, satisfaction, fullness, this space of truth, silence and freedom that he was looking for. “To cross the Alps on foot is to admit that walking ends up resonating within… The adventure is not a challenge, it is an attempt at repair…The goal is not the end of the path, it is the path itself! Walking imposes itself as a language, a rhythm interior”. In this well-written work, illustrated with photos full of emotion, Patrice gives us a unique experience, with great humility, sensitivity and recognition. “Via Alpina, my inner Alps” invites us to listen, to slow down, to feel. A wonderful discovery of these multi-faceted Alpine massifs!
The author will meet the public for a signing session on Friday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the “la Loupiote” bookstore in Gap and on Saturday, April 11 at 10 a.m. at the “le Coin de l’Actu et des Arts” bookstore in Manosque.
Contact : via.alpina.challenge@gmail.com
