Ueli Steck plans to join the festival trail-run

Fancy pitting yourself against the man who holds the world record for the fastest ascent of the imposing North Face of the Eiger?

Organisers of the Kendal Mountain Festival have revealed that speed mountaineer Ueli Steck is planning to take part the festival’s associated trail-run.

The Swiss climber smashed his own speed-climbing record to post an ascent time on the Nordwand of 2hrs 47mins 33secs six years ago.

Next month’s KMF trail-run up to Scout Scar from the Cumbrian town should be less of a challenge for the climber, who has also posted a speed ascent of the Matterhorn, along with more conventional solo climbs of Everest and Annapurna.

Steck was also one of the three climbers caught in the ugly scenes involving altercations with Sherpas on Everest last year.

For those less inclined to follow the climber up the hill in the trail-run, there will be an opportunity to hear his exploits later that day when he gives a talk at Kendal Leisure Centre.

Alastair Humphreys

Other speakers confirmed recently for the November event include Al Humphreys, the British adventurer who pushes the idea of microadventures.

Definitely not-so-micro was his four year cycling trip round the work, with 60 countries traversed in a 46,000-mile journey.

On the Sunday, filmmaker Al Lee, Rob Jarman and Jules Lines will present their behind the lens glimpse in What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Lee will be showing two of his latest films: Stone Free and All My Own Stunts. Stone Free celebrates, Julian Lines, dubbed ‘the best climber you’ve never heard of’.

Festival organisers say he is undoubtedly Britain’s most accomplished free climbing soloist with world-class free ascents to his name. They promise a deeply personal account of the archetypal anti-hero with a personal appearance of the film’s star at the screening.

All My Own Stunts focuses on Rob Jarman, a downhill mountain bike specialist and professional stuntman. “This gripping and emotional film tells the story of a near-fatal accident and his road to recovery,” festival bosses said. “Redoubtable, affable and hilarious, it’s a compelling ride with Rob on, and more often than not, off his bike, and Rob will be on hand to share the experience.”

John Burns will stage his Mallory play

Friday night sees a performance of Mallory: Beyond Everest, a one-man play by John Burns, who uses a combination of physical theatre, projection and specially composed music to explore the nature of obsession, and looks at what drives a man to sacrifice himself and those he loves for a symbolic goal.

Organisers said the play about Everest climbers Mallory and Irvine sees comedy and tragedy combine to create a piece that is both moving, funny, and controversial.

Sunday festival-goers will be able to see Dave Cornthwaite, an adventurer, author and filmmaker.

Dave Cornthwaite

KMF organisers said: “Since quitting his life as a couch potato in 2005, Dave got busy; so far completing ten non-motorised journeys each over 1,000 miles, including skateboarding across Australia, paddleboarding the Mississippi and swimming the Lower Missouri.

“He has written three books, entertained audiences on six continents, broken eight world records, made hundreds of short films and completed countless quirky projects.”

Full details of the festival programme are on the Kendal Mountain Festival website.