As a kid, in fact even as an adult, I looked up to the stars
of the climbing world. Then slowly, as you meet them you realise they are
actually normal people. It’s almost a surprise! Ben Moon is Human!
But some stars remain up there, and even when you get to
know them well, there is still just something about them that sets them apart.
I can be having a totally normal conversation about something totally normal,
but there is something else, a depth of history surrounding us like a mist.
Unseen but felt.
Normally Kendal doesn’t excite me that much, but this year
there were a few people that I really wanted to see, all doing talks, and all
good friends. It’s strange to think I’d want to see them talk, when I could
just sit with them in a pub for a few hours, but hearing their story from
amongst a crowd is different, another side. It puts them back up there from a
good mate to a star.
A triple hit, I fluked tickets to them all. Andy
Kirkpatrick, Lynn Hill, Johnny Dawes. No introductions necessary.
Andy is mountain hero. And talk expert! I wanted to see his
show as I’ve just read his book. The only problem is it makes me realise my
talks are totally dull, as his are really funny and fly along at a blistering
pace. He covers his book, ‘Cold Wars’. Great, though his talk is ALL funny.
There is a lot in the book that is pretty deep, the strong bond between his
kids and himself and the struggle to justify the risk. I thought he’d go into
this, but maybe some things and best just on paper!
house packed out. Her story is just so vast! She picked out the important bits
but barely got started. A history lesson on why
is just such an Icon. We know it, but when you see how much she’s done….. And
at 50 she’s still cranking, 8b+ and font 8a!
Johnny was the big one for me. Undoubtedly THE legend in
British Climbing, and recognised on the world stage. His talk is pure genius.
No plan, a rough idea of what to cover, but the genius is in the way he can
wander. Details that should take ages to describe he paints with incredible
detail in just a single sentence. Occasionally he read from his book and it
added an extra sparkle to the words; when I read them again they seemed to tell
a whole new story. Watching Johnny was like when you see a true performer in
action, maybe a singer, where the talent shines so brightly it’s clear that
there is something entirely special. Johnny isn’t just a climber that did some
hard stuff!
