Yes, we know it's ridiculously early to be bringing you advance news of an event which takes place in November, but we thought we'd give you an early heads up on the line-up for the largest festival of its kind in Europe, so here are a few highlights direct from the Kendal Mountain Festival organisers plus some nice images to whet your appetite.
As per usual with Kendal, you can expect a dazzling, unmissable mix of hundreds of film screenings including a smattering of high-profile premieres, loads of speakers and special guests and, of course, the whole social whirl that goes along with it.
Who's Coming?
Expect a wide cross-section of outdoor personalities from right across the board. So far guests lined up include BBC adventurer and presenter Paul Rose, one of the world's most experienced and respected science and adventure expedition leaders. Paul was Base Commander of Rothera Research Station, Antarctica for 10 years and is an expert polar, exploration and field science consultant. His new BBC documentary, Frank Wild: Antarctica's Forgotten Hero just aired on BBC One, but his other credits, intriguingly include Scrapheap Challenge.
US mountain legend Fred Beckey is still climbing at 89, every day if he can. The mountaineer, ‘archetypal hobo’ and author has travelled all his life with hundreds of first ascents to his name, more than any other American climber, and recently published his magnum opus;100 Favorite North American Climbs featuring his characteristic mix of route tips, natural history and climbing lore.
The Girls Are Back In Town...
There’s a great mix of climbers and mountaineers including two of Europe’s top women climbers; Liv Sansoz, two-times world champion and three times World Cup winner, plus Ines Papert, ice climbing World Cup winner and Scottish winter climbing enthusiast.
Renowned German alpinist Robert Jasper - not a girl - will be the main attraction for Marmot Night, talking about his recent adventurous ascent of the ‘Shark’s Fin’, Monte Giordano in Tierra del Fuego's Cordillera Darwin.
Lots More...
Together with the art exhibitions, literature, the legendary Bike, Snowsports, White Water and Free Flight nights, the Mountain Equipment Pub Quiz plus the Boardman Tasker literary prize, it promises to be another unmissable year. The organisers say that there are plenty of surprises they can’t tell us about yet, so watch this space!
Dates are 15-18 November with tickets available from August – news as it happens at www.mountainfest.co.uk.
Image: Robert Jasper 'Nordwand' by Ralf Gantzhorn.
The top German alpinist will be the main attraction for Marmot Night talking about his recent ascent of the Shark's Fin.
