Psychovertical
My final birthday treat happened last night. Brother in law, David, my 2004 TGO partner, and his wife Debbie, had bought us tickets to Andy Kirkpatrick's "Psychovertical" show in Cambridge. Miss Whiplash & I didn't know quite what to expect...a slide show and talk sounds, well, a bit dull.
Oh no!
If you don't know of Andy, the best introduction is from the promotional blurb, which, for once, doesn't exaggerate.
"Andy's speciality is big wall climbing and winter expeditions, which involves pitting himself against a vertical climbs of over 1000 metres, often in temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees. Andy has scaled Yosemite's El Capitan - one of the hardest walls in America - over ten times, including two solo ascents. One of these ascents was a 12 day solo of the Reticent Wall, viewed at the time as perhaps the hardest climb of its type in the world."
"In 2002 he undertook one of the hardest climbs in Europe: a 15 day winter ascent of the West face of the Dru. This 1000 metre pillar pushed him and his partner to their limits and was featured in the award winning film 'Cold Haul'. "
"Makes Ray Mears look like Paris Hilton".
Presented in a laugh a minute style, irreverent about his peers, it's not until after the show, that you realise exactly what he has done, what you have heard and seen. As well as a great evening's entertainment, you leave having learned a lot - about climbing, climbers, and a tiny glimpse into what makes them tick.
Think a walk across Scotland is hard? How about Greenland coast to coast across the ice cap. I'll never moan about having a blister again after seeing the picture of one the teams' feet.
It's a great evening with an engaging character. Even non outdoors types will enjoy it, and find it inspirational.
Plus you learn how to kill a polar bear!
Oh no!
If you don't know of Andy, the best introduction is from the promotional blurb, which, for once, doesn't exaggerate.
"Andy's speciality is big wall climbing and winter expeditions, which involves pitting himself against a vertical climbs of over 1000 metres, often in temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees. Andy has scaled Yosemite's El Capitan - one of the hardest walls in America - over ten times, including two solo ascents. One of these ascents was a 12 day solo of the Reticent Wall, viewed at the time as perhaps the hardest climb of its type in the world."
"In 2002 he undertook one of the hardest climbs in Europe: a 15 day winter ascent of the West face of the Dru. This 1000 metre pillar pushed him and his partner to their limits and was featured in the award winning film 'Cold Haul'. "
"Makes Ray Mears look like Paris Hilton".
Presented in a laugh a minute style, irreverent about his peers, it's not until after the show, that you realise exactly what he has done, what you have heard and seen. As well as a great evening's entertainment, you leave having learned a lot - about climbing, climbers, and a tiny glimpse into what makes them tick.
Think a walk across Scotland is hard? How about Greenland coast to coast across the ice cap. I'll never moan about having a blister again after seeing the picture of one the teams' feet.
It's a great evening with an engaging character. Even non outdoors types will enjoy it, and find it inspirational.
Plus you learn how to kill a polar bear!
posted by Phil at
Friday, November 23, 2007
3 Comments:
Phil, Karen Darke and Andy Kirkpatrick where both on an episode of Excess Baggage on Radio 4 on the 20th Oct. If you want I'll burn a copy of it onto CD for you.
That would be great - thanks Darren!
Phil & Miss W.
Just found it online (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/excessbaggage/index_20071020.shtml), but will cut a CD this weekend.
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