Scottish climbing phenomenon Dave MacLeod and climbing partner Andy Turner are presenting a lecture on their first free ascent of the Long Hope route at London’s Royal Geographical Society on February 8th. During the lecture, sponsored by Gore, Cotswold Outdoor and Mountain Equipment, Dave and Andy will give an insight into the physical, psychological and logistic preparation required to capture this route as well as explaining a few of the challenges en route. Those attending can look forward to tales of dubious rock, furious fulmars and a mind-blowing finale!
At 1150 foot, St Johns Head is the tallest sea cliff in the UK. It was first climbed in 1970 by climber and poet Ed Drummond together with Oliver Hill. They took seven days to climb the cliff, sleeping on ledges and in hammocks along the way. Forty years later, Dave MacLeod and Andy Turner set out to climb the cliff in a single day.
Following the lecture there will be a special screening of The Long Hope film presented by filmmaker Paul Diffley of Hot Aches Productions – you may already have watched the trailer on the Trek & Mountain homepage! The film, which won the People’s Choice Award at the Kendal Mountain Film Festival last year, contrasts the challenges of Drummond’s first ascent and also follows him as he makes a pilgrimage back to St John’s Head to look upon the route one last time.
Tickets cost £12 and are currently available from Dave MacLeod’s blog www.davemacleod.com/shop
Doors open at 6pm for a 7pm start.