A Preview to Kendal Mountain Festival 2017
This weekend, adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts from the UK and beyond will descend on the little town of Kendal in the heart of the Lake District for a weekend of film previews, adventure workshops, wild swims, inspiring talks and anything else outdoor-adventure related you could imagine. The Kendal Mountain Festival has been a prominent fixture on adventure-lovers calendars since the 1980s, seeing as many as 15,000 visitors heading to Kendal each November.
Columbia Sportswear is the main sponsor behind this yearβs event, hosting the critically acclaimed βInternational Film Festivalβ running from Thursday to Sunday. Key speakers this year include renowned climber, Tommy Coldwell, and world-record endurance cyclist, Mark Beaumont, while weβre most excited to see a talk from one of our favourite British photographers, Simon Bray, world cycle-tourist, Benjamin Page, who has just returned from a three-year trip around the world, and the team behind new climbing film, Psychovertical.
Watch this year's trailer for a preview to the event, and carry on reading below to see what we're most excited to see this year.
www.mountainfest.co.uk
Tom Musgrove and Simon Bray - The Edges of these Isles
Friday 17th November | 21:00-22:00 | Warehouse Cafe - Brewery Arts Centre
Artist, Tom Musgrove, and photographer, Simon Bray, discuss their collaboratory project, 'The Edges of these Islands'. The two creatives travelled to seven landscapes within the UK - Buttermere & Crummock Water, Lindisfarne, Brecon Beacons, the Gower Peninsula, Glen Coe, the Causeway Coast and the Peak District - and each created a piece of work depicting the scenery. While Bray captures physical features and focuses on natural light in his photography, Musgrove captures gestures, form and shape through painting, sculpture and drawing. The resulting book details the results of the project in closer detail.
Find out more about the project here.
European Film Première - Psycho Vertical: The Andy Kirkpatrick Story
Friday 17th November | 21:00-22:30 | Brewery Arts Centre Theatre
Filmmaker, Jen Randall, of Light Shed Pictures depicts the story of Andy Kilpatrick, a world-class climber and alpinist; the struggles of life and responsibility countered by an ambition and passion for climbing, despite the risks of embarking on challenging climbs alone. This is a highly anticipated premiere, a story that will certainly be hard to forget.
Unfortunately this event is SOLD OUT (however we'd certainly recommend checking the film out when it's released!)
Sir Chris Bonington - Ascent - A Life Spent Climbing on the Edge
Saturday 18th November | 12:00-13:30 | Kendal Town Hall
An icon of British mountaineering, Sir Chris Bonington's latest memoir, Ascent, examines his life and shares tales from tragic and euphoric expeditions. An evening that will bring to life the wonderful memories of a true British icon.
The Art of Survival - with Aldo Kane, Megan Hine & Nick Shoolingin-Jordan
Saturday 18th November | 12:00-13:30 | Kendal Leisure Centre
Three survival experts take us to some of the world's most hostile landscapes, detailing how to keep people safe in extreme conditions. An event that will certainly have you gripped to your seats, gasping in awe at some of these incredible tales.
Patagonia - Adventure Activistβs Tour with Rick Ridgeway and Rok Rozman
Saturday 18th November | 14:00-16:00 | Kendal Town Hall
Having attended the Patagonia Adventure Activist's Tour in Manchester earlier this month, we couldn't resist seeing the event again at Kendal! With accomplished mountaineer and explorer, Rick Ridgeway, and olympic rower turned kayaking activist, Rok Rozman, the event is certainly one that will inspire adventure and action to protect our planet and keep it green and wild.
Lowe Alpine Adventure & Exploration Session
Saturday 18th November | 16:30-19:00 | Kendal Town Hall
Two explorers, Ben Page and Jenny Tough, will share stories form their latest adventures. While Jenny has just got back from a journey running across the Atlas Mountains, Englishman Ben Page has spent the last three years cycling around the world, capturing incredible footage from his trip, showing the harsh realities of such a challenging journey.
Kendal Mountain Festival is put on to inspire exploration into the mountains; to enjoy the landscapes, wilderness and cultures they have to offer. This year's line-up has us hugely excited to spend the weekend up in Kendal and be inspired to spend more time outside. Check out the full Kendal programme here, or you can also buy day, evening and weekend film passes that get you into a whole range of events.
Let us know if you're attending this year's event and what you're excited to see!