Most OUTDOORSmagic members will be aware that right now, Alan
Hinkes is on his way to attempt Kangchenjunga, the final peak in his
project to become the first Briton to climb all 14 of the 8,000-metre
peaks. What you may not realise is that this year is the 50th
anniversary of the first ascent of the mountain by British climbers
Joe Brown and George Band.
To celebrate the anniversary of one of the great British Himalayan
first ascents - Hinkes, with modern equipment and prior knowledge has
failed on the mountain twice - the National Mountaineering Museum at
Rheged is currently running a new exhbition called 'Kangchenjunga -
The Untrodden Peak'.
The exhibition was very appopriately opened earlier this month by
Brown and Band - above - who then lectured a capacity audience about
the climb. Band explained the 'Untrodden Peak' label by pointing out
that on the first ascent he and Brown had stopped a few feet short of
the summit in deference to the local 'local Sikkimese people who
revered the mountain as the home of their gods.'
Chris Bonington emphasised the hardness of the mountain when he
commented: "While I'm slightly biased, as I was so closely involved
with Everes,but, I know that Kangchenjunga really is a very demanding
and dangerous mountain. Probably more so than even Everest - and
that's saying something."
The new exhibition is the first within a new temporary exhibition
gallery within the Helly Hansen National Mountaineering Exhibition
which will allow the museum to host new exhibitions on a regular
basis so that there's always something new to see.
Hinkes Lecture Coup
The Rheged guys are also hoping to pull off something fo a coup
with a newly returned Alan Hinkes due to lecture about his
experiences on Kangchenjunga this spring on 1 and 2 July. If all goes
well, it will be one of his first lectures about the final peak in
his Challenge 8000 quest.
Alan commented before he departed, "I'm under no illusions,
Kangchenjunga is a difficult and dangerous mountain, and as I always
say no mountain is worth a life or a digit, but- and it's still a
very big 'but' - if I climb it I'll have pulled off something that's
quite significant. After all more people have stood on the moon than
climbed all these peaks. And it would be nice to be the first Brit to
do it. Although like George and Joe I'll be leaving those final few
feet untrodden - as a Yorkshireman I respect tradition!"
We're bringing you news on Alan's climb as we get it, or follow
his progress on the Berghaus
web site.
Further details about the Helly Hansen National Mountaineering
Exhibition and its Outdoor Adventure Lecture Season can be found by
visiting
www.rheged.com
or by telephoning 01768 868 000.
