Getting High: The Annapurna Circuit in Nepal

by Bill Walker

What is the best way for the average person to authentically experience the world's greatest mountain range - the Himalayas? Fortunately, there is now a good answer. The Annapurna Circuit in Nepal is the most popular footpath in Asia. Its genius lies in its design. Trekkers wind their way around and along some of the world's greatest peaks, ultimately getting near 18,000 feet, without ever having to do any 'technical climbing'. This Circuit is widely considered one of the world's great treks, and mortals from all around the world are coming to Nepal for the unique chance to 'get high'. Bill Walker ('Skywalker') struggled his way through the Annapurna Circuit in 2012. He has written this entertaining tale of his journey in this land of Sherpas, cold, altitude, and rushing water.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Mountaineering, Audiobook, Memoir

220 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2013

About the author

Bill Walker was raised in Macon, Georgia and attended the University of Georgia, where he earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Accounting. He traded U.S. Treasury Bonds at the Chicago Board of Trade for 10 years. He then moved to London where he traded German Bonds for Nomura International at the London International Futures Exchange for four years.

Upon leaving the trading business, Bill took a radical turn. He served for a year as a volunteer in a welfare reform program in South Texas. He then taught English as a second language in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Peru.

He came to hiking late in life, but has tried to make up for it. In 2005 he thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail. In 2006, he hiked the Long Trail. In 2009, he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. In 2010, he hiked the spiritual pilgrimage (European Divorcee Trail!), El Camino de Santiago, which crosses the northern arc of Spain.

He has written the outdoor narratives, Skywalker–Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail (2008), and Skywalker–Highs and Lows on the Pacific Crest Trail (2010). Bill is currently working on two books–one about height (he is 6’11”) and the other about his pilgrimage on El Camino de Santiago. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting memoir which made me both excited and terrified for my upcoming Annapurna Circuit trek. Bill Walker made the same trip and returned home in one piece, suspension bridges and questionable porters notwithstanding.

The book begins as as Walker struggles up the Thorung La Pass (elevation higher than 5400m) and then backtracks to Walker arriving in Kathmandu with no reservations, no porter, no guide, and no plans except to find the fabled hike and walk it. The first part of the book is a good warning for what not to do: he got scammed by a taxi owner and ended up blindly hiring a guide/porter with no references. And this wasn't one of those stories where taking a chance on an unknown guide ended up paying off.

But his tales of the trail had good info for a prospective hiker. He had good info about what to do about altitude sickness, how to get comfortable in a teahouse bed, and what to eat on the hike. The book doesn't have an editor or publisher or anything; it's just one of those self-published Kindle books. But it's worth a few dollars if you're planning to make the trip.

[Mark Gannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book number four by Bill Walker AKA "Skywalker." I am still enjoying his books, and this was an enjoyable foray as it put Bill out of his comfort zone-- he is no longer hiking a trail in his home country or in a first world country, but in Nepal. In some respects, this is a what not to do on the Annapurna Circuit. While Bill always enjoyed been 'free' to set his own pace and to do his own thing, arranging this journey through a hiking company would have been a wise thing to do as right from the start Bill was ripped of by tour guides and touts along the way. Also, an editor would have been a good choice for the book- words repeated twice on after the other, paragraph breaks in the middle of sentences and some grammatical errors. Other than these, this was a brilliant book.

[Meredith Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed two of Bill's previous books and had high hopes for this little tome. It needs a bit of editing and, with all due respect, Bill needs to stop with the self-deprecation about his skills and abilities. With as many long-term treks as he's done he is no longer considered naive or a neophyte.

[Gaurav Bhutani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest travelogue of a hiker to the Annapurna region. Helped me relive my ACT hike. Easy to read and enjoyable.

[Nepal Planet Treks and Expedition · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Jane Blanchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting High: The Annapurna Circuit in Nepal by Bill Walker is, in my opinion, his best book to date. Mr. Walker's style makes it easy to read; I felt as if I were sitting in conversation with him about his Annapurna adventure. This is not a travel guide; it is a wonderfully expressed narration about Bill Walker's experiences, how he felt while trekking in Nepal, why he made the decision he did, and the resulting consequences. It is a wonderfully story and I recommend this book.

The only things that would have made this book better are color photos for the Kindle reader and a copy editor.

[Angela Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I did enjoy this, it just wasn't quite as much as his books about the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails.

I felt there was a bit too much digging at and blaming of the somewhat dodgy guide/tour company he had ended up with. At the end of the day, he failed to plan properly so he needs to accept responsibility for the fact that he ended up with a less than stellar guide instead of putting all the blame on the guide and the tour company.

This aside, it is, again, perfect listening for that long car trip.

I listened to the Unabridged Audible Audio Book version of this.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this work. I enjoy most every work that tells the tale of hiking, backpacking, or trekking. And in my nature as a mountain climber, reading of the hardships and difficulties only encourages me to want to go out and experience what the author tells. Yet while enjoyable, this work was also a light read and did not deliver any profound messages or insights to me.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review to be posted at The Cubicle Escapee

Bill Walker is an amazing story teller that I would love to grab a drink with, his story and pacing made me laugh through out the book.

He has an interesting approach to the world and I loved every minute of this book, I will certainly read other works by him in the future.

[Ariel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is at most a bad chronicle with half told stories.
I read the book during my own trek through the Annapurna Circuit, I've learn some things about it that helped me to prepare myself, but I believe a good guide like "Andrés de Ruiter's Trekking in the Annapurna" will get you in better conditions.
As for a personal memoir of an epic even while ill-prepared, it's not worth it.

[Zachary Lemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love his writing style: low key and informative. His sense of humor really comes through as well. He isn't afraid to laugh at his own mistakes along the way, and he never veers into self congratulation- though after a feat like this he's earned it! I recommend the audiobook version. It's read by the author, and captures the charm best.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable travelogue about hiking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. I've read all of Walker's hiking books, they are all great. At first, he is not enjoying himself at all on this journey, then he gets his stride and settles into an enjoyable trip.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading this a second time as I contemplate doing this trek. Entertaining & engaging, hearing Bill describes his fears of conquering Thorungla Pass, his strained relationship with his porter, the people you meet on the trail, a very enjoyable read.

[Michelle TheOtter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book on the trials and tribulations of 'walking' the Annapurna circuit.
Easy to read, and funny at times.
Only complaint was how Bill Walker spelt Edinburgh - he spelt it like an American would pronounce it. That apart, enjoyable.

[Myra L Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annapurna Circuit with Skywalker

Very interesting account of hiking in Nepal! I had never heard of the Annapurna Circuit and enjoyed reading about it! I don't know how Skywalker walked across those swinging bridges because I a!so am afraid of heights!

[John Going · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great long distance hiking book by Bill!

[Sceadugenga · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bad spelling and poor research made this 4 star story a 3 star book. By the way Bill, Reinhold Messner is an Italian mountaineer, not Austrian (south tyrolean if you really want to split hairs.)

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book

Fun to read a book that is open and honest about a guy that shares his hiking adventure. Kindred spirt in desire but not sure I can do the cold!

[Christy Keeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like with Walker's PCT telling, his story of traversing the Annapurna Circuit has been truly helpful for those of us seeking to take on the challenge. I enjoy his writing—practical lessons garnered from personal experiences.

My two takeaways for when I attempt the trek next year: (1) don't bother with a guide/porter; and, (2) it's gonna be REALLY COLD!

Thanks, Skywalker, for keeping the trail vine moving beyond the trail itself.

[Tony · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the two other books that I have read from the author, and the parts about Nepal and the trails in the region were interesting. A great deal of this book seemed very whiny, and to me that was quite off putting. Also it doesn’t seem like the same amount of effort went into this as the other books.

[Andrew Stapinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent trekking adventure

An engaging story of a difficult asian hike. I have read all of this authors books after meeting him on the Appalachian trail, and have become mentally richer as a result

[Alan Hosch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Now, I really wanna trek the Annapurna Circuit - the highest non-climbing trek in the world.

[John Matney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book, sudden ending

I've enjoyed all of Bill's books for their humorous and illuminating accounts of his long distance hikes. As a fellow resident of Asheville , NC, I can say with confidence that he fits in well here. I hope to read more of Bi!!'s writing in the future.