Stephen Venables: The Legend of Eric Shipton

Internationally acclaimed mountaineer, writer and broadcaster Stephen Venables tells the story of legendary mountaineer Eric Shipton in this fast-paced, beautifully illustrated talk that blends historical detail with personal experience.

One of the greatest mountain explorers of the twentieth century, Shipton took part in five expeditions to Everest, famously missing out on Sir Edmund Hillary’s historical ascent of the mountain after being sacked from the expedition. He dedicated his life to exploring untouched mountain ranges all over the world, from the mountains of East Africa to the untouched ice-fields of Patagonia in Tierra del Fuego.

Admired by explorers, and loved by women, he inspired a generation of mountaineers, including Venables, who in 1988 became the first Briton to climb Everest without supplementary oxygen. In his lecture he will mix readings from Shipton’s books with stories of his own journeys in the explorer’s footsteps, illustrated with stunning photography and film clips.

“Fast-paced, gripping, witty and full of fascinating historical background.” Sir Chris Bonington