Hill people

Miss Straton, Monsieur Charlet and the Aiguille de Persévérance

Convention-breaking mountaineer Miss Isabelle Straton, and Savoyard mountain guide Jean-Estéril: the scandal doesn’t stop. [1600 words 6 mins

Feb 4 • Ronald Turnbull

Miss Isabella Straton on Mont Blanc

150 years ago this week, Isabella Straton and her two French guides made the first winter ascent of Mont Blanc. Snatching this prize from her friend…

Jan 28 • Ronald Turnbull

Howard Somervell

He sat down to die on Everest in 1924, then came down again and painted it all in oils. If you happen to be in Grasmere, then grab this exhibition at…

Oct 22, 2025 • Ronald Turnbull

Exit Pursued by Bear

Timon of Athens and Tim of Alaska: different ways of dying in the wilderness [1500 words 6 mins

Aug 13, 2025 • Ronald Turnbull

Gertrude Bell and the Finsteraarhorn

Diplomat, spy, photographer, activist, archeologist: oh, and she also put up a few interesting routes in the Alps. [2400 words, 10 mins

Jul 16, 2025 • Ronald Turnbull

My Dad climbed with Dougal Haston

He survived. Dougal, in the end, didn’t.

Apr 23, 2025 • Ronald Turnbull

Lily Bristow, ace climber of the 1890s

Not just the top woman climber, but one of the top climbers full stop; and she took photos of it too. [1750 words, 7 mins

Apr 2, 2025 • Ronald Turnbull

Cooking the Books on Denali

The famous fake ascent of Frederick Cook. [1100 words 5 mins

Mar 12, 2025 • Ronald Turnbull

Charles Dickens climbs Carrock Fell

Carrock being a 2174ft high hill in the Lake District. Meanwhile Wilkie Collins is doing all he can to keep up ... [1200 words 5 mins

Feb 19, 2025 • Ronald Turnbull

Alexander von Humboldt climbs on Chimborazo

Me, a mountaineer? I'm only here for the barometric readings...

Oct 16, 2024 • Ronald Turnbull

Mysteries of our personalities

Boardman-Tasker part 2: Pete Boardman

Sep 4, 2024 • Ronald Turnbull

Adventures in the Alpine Style

Boardman and Tasker Part 1: Joe Tasker [1400 words, 6 mins

Aug 28, 2024 • Ronald Turnbull

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