Mountaineering

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 •

Ronald Turnbull

Annapurna 1950 vs Everest 1953

This week sees the 75th anniversary of the French ascent of Annapurna. But we're British (well, I am)... [1000 words: 5 min

Jun 11 •

Ronald Turnbull

A bothy in the Bernina

Build in your imagination the ideal of bothy. A long walk to get to it; a huge view; and even some dry blankets to sleep under. And then head off and…

May 28 •

Ronald Turnbull

My Dad climbed with Dougal Haston

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

Apr 23 •

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 •

Ronald Turnbull

Cooking the Books on Denali

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

Mar 12 •

Ronald Turnbull

Mountains in Manga

Mountain climbing. What’s it all about, why do we do it, and is a big peak really worth more than life itself? The best answers so far come from Japan…

Feb 5 •

Ronald Turnbull

Leslie Stephen climbs Mont Blanc

Leslie Stephen was knighted for his services as a Victorian man of letters, in particular as the first editor of the Dictionary of National Biography.

Jan 15 •

Ronald Turnbull

Great Aletsch Glacier

The odd thing about a glacier is its ugliness [1300 words, 7 mins

Nov 20, 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

Ladies in the Alps

Climbing mountains in the 1820s: an obviously masculine activity? Well, maybe not… [1600 words 7min

Aug 7, 2024 •

Ronald Turnbull

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