Spyke and companion during the record-breaking munro round

Spyke and companion during the record-breaking munro round

What unites wild swimming in Wordsworth country; skateboarding in war-torn Afghanistan; cross-country snowboarding, and Arctic aerobics?

They all feature in films selected for festival that has come to define the eclectic in the outdoors.

The Sheffield Adventure Film Festival, now in its sixth year, will offer heart-stopping action, beautiful cinematography and even Canadian comedy. Organiser Matt Heason has whittled more than 200 entries down to the chosen few – well, 60 or so – ranging from the Baffin Babes, four Scandinavian women ski-trekking with 120kg sleds and coping with polar bears, debilitating illness and sub-zero skinny-dipping, to The Prophet, Alastair Lee’s film of top big wall climber Leo Houlding’s obsession with a new route on El Capitan in the Yosemite national park.

Lee has also produced a trailer for the Shaff event to whet outdoor enthusiasts’ appetite.

A spokesperson for the festival organisers said: “From its humble origins showing the best of the UK’s adventure films to sell-out audiences, the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival has developed into one of the UK’s biggest and best adventure film festivals in its own right.

“This year Shaff has had a record-breaking number of film entries – more than 200.  Peak District-based event organiser Matt Heason has handpicked one of the strongest collections of the best adventure films from around the world.”

Star lecturers will supplement the line up of films, with talks by record-breaking Everest summiteer Kenton Cool and Stephen Pyke – Spyke – the man who set a new record with his muscle powered round of all 283 munros last year.

King of the mountaineering talk circuit Andy Kirkpatrick will entertain festival goers with his unique delivery and he will also preview his upcoming book Cold Wars.

The action takes place from 4 to 6 March at the Showroom Cinema in Sheffield city centre.

Further information and details of how to book are on the Shaff website.

Some articles the site thinks might be related:

  1. Skye no limit as Spyke’s munro attempt continues
  2. Climber dies after being struck by rock on sea cliffs
  3. Cool eighth summit helps Bonita to Everest record
  4. Kenton Cool and Lakpa Rita’s talks give Everest insight from 28 ascents