Mountaineer Doug Scott will again be setting out on a lecture tour this autumn and winter, raising money for his charity, Community Action Nepal (CAN).
Joe Tasker with Pete Boardman on the Kangchenjunga West Ridge (Photo: Doug-Scott)
Doug's lectures are famous for his personal and thought provoking commentary, illustrated with his stunning photography of the world’s most spectacular mountain landscapes. The lectures are usually accompanied by an auction of signed photographs and other items and there are usually posters and cards for sale. All profits from the lecture tour go to CAN.
The Scottish lectures will be, “The Three Peaks: Everest, K2 and Kangchenjunga”, described by the organisers as,”a stunningly illustrated talk, Doug tells of his adventures, triumphs and tragedies on the world’s three highest mountains.
“Everest: at sunset on the 24 September 1975, Doug Scott and Dougal Haston reached the summit of Everest, having made the first ascent of its very difficult South West Face – they were also the first Britons to climb the mountain. On their descent, they survived without oxygen or sleeping bags, the highest bivouac ever and at 28,700 feet just one hundred metres down from the summit.
“Kangchenjunga: this is the world’s third highest summit, but a much more technically demanding and dangerous mountain than Everest. In May 1979, after two and a half months of climbing through one storm after another Doug Scott with Peter Boardman and Joe Tasker reached a point just 10 feet below the summit – in deference to the local people they left the summit untouched it being regarded as the dwelling place of their Gods.
“K2: “Third time lucky” doesn’t always hold true. In 1978 Doug was high on the world’s second highest mountain, roped to his great friend Nick Escourt, when they were avalanched. The rope broke and Nick was swept to his death leaving Doug to tell the tale. He would return to this dangerous mountain in 1983, when with Andy Parkin, Roger Baxter-Jones and Jean Afanassieff they pioneered a new route up the South Pillar of K2 but would be denied the summit. Despite three further attempts Doug never climbed K2, but feels that “two out of three ain’t bad”.”
Following CAN’s successful lectures last year celebrating significant climbs in the Himalaya, this year CAN’s special lecture series taking place in London and some English venues will celebrate significant climbs and first ascents on each of the seven continents. The speaker line up is now confirmed and will include Andy Kirkpatrick, Alex Huber, Michael Kennedy, Simone Moro, Simon Yates, Pat Littlejohn, Doug Scott and Mike Searle.
The Scottish dates are as follows – for further details, booking, and dates for England and Wales see the website.
19 July – Tobermory, Mull
21 July – Dingwall
22 July – Ullapool
25 July – Kyle of Lochalsh
16 Nov – Huntly