Later this month and for one night only, Alston Town Hall is delighted to welcome mountaineering legend Alan Hinkes OBE on Wednesday 29th May at 7.30pm. This is Alan’s first visit to Alston Town Hall and the only date in the area so be quick!
An outdoor icon, Alan is the first and only Briton to climb all 14 of the world’s highest and most dangerous mountains on the planet, all of which are in the ‘death zone’. This is a feat achieved by fewer people than have stood on the moon! Many others have perished attempting this challenge.
He has an extraordinary mountaineering track record and Alan’s frank and humorous accounts make any of his talks a must-see for keen outdoor-enthusiasts.
The talks in this series will cover many of his best-known expeditions including his numerous trips climbing in the Himalaya (as portrayed in his book ‘8000 Metres: Climbing the World’s Highest Mountains’).
Alan is well-known for his entertaining, amusing and inspiring evenings, which are illustrated by stunning images of his exploits. As well as personal accounts about his career climbing in the Himalayas, what drove him to climb all 14 ‘8000ers’ and the challenges he faced, Alan will also touch upon his other passions. These include the UK’s hills and mountains, real ale and photography. Alan is a fountain of outdoor knowledge and these talks will be a don’t-miss event for any lover of walking, mountaineering, climbing or travel.
Afterwards there is an opportunity to meet him and books and posters will be available to buy, which he will be happy to sign.
Alan began his mountaineering career whilst at Northallerton Grammar School, North Yorkshire. He progressed to the Alps with ascents of many difficult mountains, including the notorious North Face of the Eiger, eventually graduating to the Himalaya.
He works as an outdoor equipment technical consultant, writes for magazines and lectures on his exploits. He is an accomplished cameraman (filming 11 documentaries), photographer, author, motivational speaker, environmentalist and mountain guide. His book 8000 Metres Climbing the World’s Highest Mountains won TGO Awards Outdoor Book of the Year.
Alan was awarded the OBE in the 2006 New Year’s Honours. He is an Honorary Citizen of his home town, Northallerton; Yorkshireman of the Year; an Honorary Fellow of the University of Sunderland; Honorary Doctor of the University of York, Honorary Doctor of Professional Studies, University of Teesside and has received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Royal Institute of Navigation and the President’s Award for Outstanding Voluntary Contribution to Water Aid. He is involved in charitable work including : Water Aid, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, British Red Cross and Mountain Rescue.
Alan lives in North Yorkshire and enjoys being in the hills, rock climbing and fellwalking. You will regularly see him in the Lake District and Yorkshire tramping the fells and moors, clinging to a rock face or climbing a frozen waterfall.
Tickets are available from the Alston Town Hall, tel.01434 382244 or online at ticketsource.co.uk. Priced at £11.50 (small book fee applicable online). For more information about events at the Town Hall visit alstontownhall.co.uk
