Author: Tim Taylor

We are sorry to hear the sad news  that Doug Scott’s battle with illness ended on Monday. He influenced many of our climbing careers and approach to high and remote places. David Nightingale, who has worked closely with Doug and his charity CAN, will make a personal relection of his friend later. Ed Douglas’s obituary in The Guardian may be found in this link … https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/07/doug-scott-obituary And the BMC’s tribute here … https://www.thebmc.co.uk/doug-scott-titan-of-british-mountaineering-dies Stephen Venables has written about Doug on UKC … https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/doug_scott_obituary_-_1941-2020-13229 Here is Dougal Haston’s photo of Doug Scott on the summit of Everest, in September 1975.  

Jake will describe the key moments of his journey from Singapore to Sheffield on a pushbike. He reflects on the incomparable highs of human-powered adventure travel and gives uncensored insight into the grizzly lows. From sleeping rough in Singapore to being under police escort in China, the talk will take the audience across a Eurasia that can only be seen from the saddle of a touring bike. Doors open from 7pm and the link is:  https://zoom.us/j/6780251764 Meeting ID: 678 025 1764 Requires a password (year of founding of The Rucksack Club)      

Nicky Spinks is going to explain how she got into fell-running.  She will describe doing the Marsden-Edale race and other classic routes, many of which are also popular with Rucksackers, either running or walking.  She will also cover the attraction of endurance events, which have become longer and longer.  For more information check out her website www.runbg.co.uk. Doors open from 7pm and the link is:  https://zoom.us/j/95350269193 Meeting ID: 953 5026 9193 Requires a password (year of founding of The Rucksack Club)

45th Anniversary screening of Everest the Hard Way + Exclusive Q&A It’s been forty-five years since Dougal Haston and Doug Scott stood as the first Brits on the summit of Everest, and the first ever team by the south-west face. To celebrate this incredible record-breaking achievement, we are pleased to announce a very special screening of Everest the Hard Way, followed by an exclusive Q&A with some of the original members of the team. Join Sir Chris Bonington, Pertemba Sherpa, Paul ‘Tut’ Braithwaite, Martin Boysen, Charlie Clarke and Mike Thompson, as we watch this truly raw documentary following the monumental feat to climb ‘Everest the Hard Way’. After this very special screening, stay tuned to watch Julie Summers lead a conversation with the Everest heroes as they reminisce the events on the mountain. You will have exclusive access to their memories and camaraderie as they recall this truly incredible adventure. We are also delighted to inform you that the Lead Sherpa from the 1975 expedition, Pertemba, will be joining the conversation live from Kathmandu. Pertemba was one of the very few team members who summited during the expedition, whilst also leading and managing 120 other sherpas and porters, at only[…]

Geoff Gosling writes:   Received this article from our friends Tony & Di. Interesting reading.   Mirella Tenderini Yesterday at 04:02  · REMEMBER OF A ALPINIST “” I had read about him and I had heard so much about him that I already felt like I knew him, but when I first met him in Buxton in 1984 I confess that I was intimidated. It has never happened to me with a mountaineer; that same day I met Chris Bonington and other British mountaineer Olympus characters and I found myself, as always with the mountaineers, in good comrade company. Don had a singing expression in his celestial eyes and mouth folding in the corner free from the gum and he didn’t seem to take me seriously when I asked him to interview him. ′′ It’s already written everything in my book,” he said. But his book – this, which we now publish in Italian – was now exhausted and untraceable. I had searched for it in vain in London in all the Oxford Street books and English friends who owned a copy were reluctant to separate it even for a short time. ′′ I wish he would tell me about[…]

Carole writes: High Camp 2020 Total HASL 16,138 feet Can confirm 2 cats & several dogs, plus 35 intrepid members and guests equipped with an assortment of tents, bivvy bags, 2 vans, 3 chairs & a sofa, successfully yomped to the top of Mont Blanc on Saturday night.  Weather good, air thin, alcohol potent and views amazing. All have now safely returned to base camp.

Carole Smithies writes: Pleased to report we have amassed a total virtual HASL of 11,932 feet.  So 25 intrepid members & guests are preparing to camp on Aneto tonight, which at 11,168 feet, is the highest point in the Pyrenees.   We are coming from far and wide; Austria, Switzerland, Corsica & France, to say nothing of Bristol, Bangor, Bakewell & Broadbottom.   It’s not to late to join us, just send me an email, or phone and say where you will be camping/bivvying. There will of course be wine at nine by the  leader’s tent. Carole