Le Grand Sentier — "Life is complex. I look for simplicity"

“Le Grand Sentier - Hiking the GR-10 through the French Pyrénéés from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea” is the visualised story of a long distance trek through the Pyrénées of France – with short deviations into Spain and Andorre – in 2003, prior to Geert’s second migration to Australia.

The trek took 59 days and Geert van Keulen climbed up and descended from 127 cols. He walked primarily on the famous GR-10 trail but also on the HRP [Haute Route Pyrénées] where

he could get away from the crowds at the more popular regions he hiked through. He left his camera at home and recorded this journey with writing in his journal and by sketching in his visual journal. All of his sketches have been placed in this book.

The writing is straight from the heart and can be touching, funny, serious and hilarious. There are over 150 sketches in this book.

Geert passionately believes that long distance hiking is one of his necessary ingredient to get through life with all its modern distractions. Whilst embracing simplicity, he literally walks into a zone of meditation while working hard in the stunning Pyrénées mountains and notices his body and mind getting fitter with every step he takes.

“Sunset over the Pyrénées Occidental. I try to capture it in my tiny sketchbook but it's utopian to do it satisfactory. That’s for people like Monet, Turner and Hopper. The mood is serene. Birds whistle their evening song. Cowbells sound far off. Crickets start their night watch. I feel – after a very hard day – very happy now”

Now available: “Le Grand Sentier, Hiking the GR-10 through the French Pyrénéés from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea”