An evening with climbing legend Paul Braithwaite

Local climbing legend, Paul Braithwaite, will be speaking about his experiences and adventures to the public in March.

Paul’s talk will centre on the role he played in the successful British ascent of the South West Face of Mount Everest in 1975. He starts with a brief history of the Chew Valley gritstone outcrops and their importance to British climbing, before moving on to tales and dramatic images of his climbs in The Alps and some of the world’s highest peaks, including Everest.

On the 1975 ascent of Mount Everest by its Southwest Face, Paul and Nick Estcourt climbed the Rock Band at about 8,200 metres (27,000 ft) setting up fixed ropes that allowed other expedition members to reach the summit of Everest for the first time by a route up one of its faces. Not only was this a key aspect of the climb of the face but, by expending their efforts on this part of the climb, they made it unlikely that they themselves would be able to attempt the summit.

In 1977 on an expedition to The Ogre he was injured by a falling rock. He joined Chris Bonington’s 1978 expedition attempting the West Ridge of K2 but had to withdraw due to ill health. Braithwaite has been a trustee of the Mountain Heritage Trust and, since 2006, of Community Action Nepal.

Paul will be presenting his evening on the 22 March 7.30 at the Millgate Arts Centre in Delph, Tickets can be bought online here – TICKETS

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

If you would like to share an interesting story, achievement, photo or something you just want to happily shout about please send it in an email to hello@saddleworthlife.com We'd ❤ to hear from you!!