Adventure and expedition legend Sir Chris Bonington will be joining fellow international mountaineer Doug Scott to host a special three course dinner and speaker event at Ye Olde Fleece Inn this November as part of the Kendal Mountain Festival.
Background of Chris. Sir Chris Bonington, 85, started climbing as a teenager in the 1950s and went on to become the UK’s most celebrated mountaineer. With Scott he was the first Briton to climb Everest. Before becoming a full time mountaineer he was a tank commander in the Army. He has led 19 expeditions to the Himalayas, including the British ascent of Mount Everest via the previously unconquered south-west face, in 1975. Bonington was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1976 in recognition of the previous year’s successful ascent of Everest and was knighted in 1996 for his services to the sport. He was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in the 2010 Birthday Honours for his services to the Outward Bound Trust. He was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Cumbria in 2004.
Background of Doug. Doug Scot, 78, is regarded as one of the world’s leading high altitude and big wall climbers. He is best known for surviving an unplanned bivouac with Dougal Haston 100 metres below the summit of Everest, without oxygen, sleeping bags and, as it turned out, without frostbite. He has made 45 expeditions to the high mountains of Asia and half of the summits he reached were climbed by new routes for the first time. He was made a CBE in 1994 and now lives in the Northern Fells of the lake district. With Bonington Scott reached the of the Ogre a 23,901ft peak before breaking both legs and his ribs on the way down and his survival has since become the stuff of mountaineering legend.
The evening itself on Saturday 16th November is hosted by “Mr Frostbite” himself Nigel Vardy. A mountaineer who suffered severe frostbite in 1999 whilst climbing Mt. McKinley in Alaska. All his fingers and toes had to be amputated and he suffered major facial scarring before returning to climbing only two years later. Since then he was climbed and explored mountains across the world and not only survives, but thrives in the mountain environment. The evening will begin with a drinks reception and showstopping three course meal before a presentation from Doug and Chris on their experiences during a golden era of Himalayan exploration and their tales of survival during hair raising and life threatening adventures.
Fleece director Josh Macaulay said “Having such incredible international legends like Chris, Doug and Nigel speaking in Kendal is an amazing thing for South Lakes and we are delighted to welcome them to The Fleece. This is probably the highest profile event we have run to date and are looking forward to an incredible, unique evening which is not to be missed.”
Tickets are limited and can be booked at the festival’s official website
www.kendalmountainfestival.com
Ye Olde Fleece Inn was acquired by business duo Dr Joshua Macaulay and Dr Chris Moss in November 2018. They were both passionate about bringing the wonderful historic venue back to life for the community and undertook an extensive £1million renovation to save the derelict hostelry.
The 17th Century Inn dates back 1654 and has gained top level acclaim for its food and drink offer and is at the cutting edge of hospitality in gastropub industry.
Pictured Top: Ye Olde Fleece Inn Frontage
Pictured Right: Jan Scott with (from left) Chris Bonington, Pertemba Sherpa, Dougal Haston and Doug Scott on their return from Everest in 1975
Pictured Below: Doug Scott and Sir Chris Bonington, on Carrock Fell, prepare to climb Trough Gully. Photograph: Tony Greenbank
