Routes: North Face of the Eiger
Stephen Venables on one of the most iconic routes in mountaineering Dick Renshaw, who made the first British winter ascent with Joe Tasker, once said to me, “it’s simply the best route in the Alps”. The North Face of the Eiger weaves a cunning and beautifully logical line up the most awesome mountain wall in Europe and because of its unique and often grizzly history it has an extraordinary aura. In good conditions, well-plastered with snow and ice, it is a brilliant mixed climb with numerous memorable historic pitches, such as the Difficult Crack, Hinterstoisser Traverse, Waterfall Chimney, Brittle Crack, Traverse … Read more »
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In the footsteps of Mallory
Was George Mallory the first man to summit Everest? Mountaineer Conrad Anker talks to Bethan Williams about how he retraced Mallory’s fateful 1924 climb in a quest for answers… In 1999 renowned American mountaineer Conrad Anker made a discovery that reverberated around the globe. High in Mount Everest’s ‘death zone’ he found the body of George Mallory – 75 years after the British explorer vanished while attempting to be the first man to summit the world’s tallest peak. Conrad Anker’s life has since became intertwined with Mallory’s story (the man who famously wanted to bag Everest, “because it’s there”). In 2007 … Read more »
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Interview: Kenton Cool
Having recently achieved his ninth (yup, ninth) summit of Everest, Kenton Cool tells Trek & Mountain how he got to the top of the guiding game, and what the future holds… Having successfully summited Mount Everest for the ninth time last month, Kenton Cool now holds the British world record for the most ascents of the world’s highest mountain. But though he’s best known for his exploits on Everest, Cool has also tackled a number of daunting first ascents across the globe, from the SW ridge of Annapurna III (for which he was nominated for a Piolet D’or) to Mount Hunter’s … Read more »
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Interview: Mick Fowler
The ‘mountaineers’ mountaineer’ Mick Fowler talks to Trek & Mountain about his recent expedition to China’s Tien Shan range and his love of climbing… Over the last 30 years, Mick Fowler has established himself as one of Britain’s foremost climbers and mountaineers, having forged new and bold routes on everything from British sea stacks, chalk cliffs and ice walls to unclimbed lines and first ascents on many peaks in the greater ranges. What’s more, he’s done all of this while holding down a full-time (and very senior) job with HM Revenue & Customs. While his unwillingness to commit to more than … Read more »
Filed under: Features
