walking amid spanish lights: from montanas to camino

Walter Glover’s fall on Mount Rainier led to the discovery of three aneurysms in three separate body systems, a medical rarity. That persuaded the senior-citizen adventure author to abandon his worldwide quest to climb on all Seven Summit mountains. Repurposed by open-heart surgery, he reimagined his dream. Forget climbing famous mountains--hike long distances.

Walter’s first challenge, chronicled in this thrilling book, was 500 miles long (well, 492), trekking El Camino, The Way of Saint James, across Spain. Called The Way, it is named for Jesus’ apostle, whose remains rest in a cathedral at the end of the journey. The most compelling story Walter tells is his own meeting with St. James at his cathedral, concerning his deceased brother.

Glover fits into mobile Camino communities, befriending people from around the world, as he did on mountaineering expeditions he’s written about. The final of four books of the retired hospital chaplain’s popular Seven Mountain Story series, Camino recounts adventures of 40 days of 14-mile distances hiked from village to village with nights in hostels. He was among an estimated quarter-million pilgrims on Camino in 2014.

The book’s centerpieces are spirituality and adventure. Walter’s altruistic reason to hike--raise money for children’s wellness initiatives, almost ＄150,000. His writing and activism inspired kids to seniors.

The ugly irony, the superhealthy adventurer now has a chronic disease--Parkinson’s. Exercising now has significant limitations for Walter. His outlook, ＂My life continues vibrant, hopeful, and full of gratitude and light. I believe my best work is in front of me.＂