"He is lucky who, in the full tide of life, has experienced a measure of the active environment he most desires. In these days of upheaval and violent change, when the basic values of today are the vain and shattered dreams of to-morrow, there is much to be said for a philosophy which aims at living a full life while the opportunity offers.

There are few treasures of more lasting worth than the experience of a way of life that is in itself wholly satisfying. Such, after all, are the only possessions of which no fate, no cosmic catastrophe can deprive us; nothing can alter the fact if for one moment in eternity we have really lived."

Eric Shipton, Upon that Mountain, 1943

This winter/spring 2012, 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.

The tour is kindly sponsored by Mountain Equipment

One of the greatest mountain explorers of the twentieth century, Shipton was a team-member on all four Everest expeditions during the 1930’s and found the route that Hillary and Tenzing would follow to the top of the world.  He famously missed out on Hillary’s historical ascent after being sacked from the expedition - his small-team, minimal logistics approach to climbing just didn't fit with the grandiose, large-scale expedition style of the British Empire.

Instead, Shipton 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 photography and film clips.

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

DATES & VENUES

MARCH  
Mon 5th  BIRMINGHAM Town Hall 0121 780 3333
Thurs 8th LLANDUDNO Venue Cymru 01492 872000
Thurs 22nd DURHAM The Gala 0191 332 4041
Weds 28th RADLETT The Radlett Centre 01923 859291
Thurs 29th INVERNESS Eden Court 01463 234234

APRIL  
Sun 1st TUNBRIDGE WELLS Assembly Hall 01892 530613
Tues 3rd SHREWSBURY Theatre Severn 01743 281 281