Climber Returning To Scene of Fatal Fall

A Manchester climber has pledged to return to the route that claimed the life of his climbing partner and left him with severe injuries.

Richard Lamb was on Tower Ridge with partner Neil Stoodley in winter 2001 when the pair fell from near the top of the route. The 1000 foot fall killed Stoodley and left Lamb with frostbite injuries after he lay for around 16 hours in sub-zero conditions before rescuers found him. He lost most of his fingers and the lower part of one leg.

Now he plans to return to the mountain on 12 June and climb Tower Ridge with members of Lochaber MRT to raise money for other people with disabilities. It's also, he told the Manchester Evening News, something he needs to do before he can get on with his life.

"I can't go back into the mountains until I have finished what Neil and I started. Tower Ridge is my demon. When I get to the place where we fell I will look over the edge and then get on with the rest of my life."

For the full story and a streaming audio interview with Richard, see this page at Manchester Online.