Everest lecture in support of MHT at Longlands

A packed crowd arrived at Longlands this week to hear Mountain Heritage Trust Chair Julie Summers give an illustrated lecture on the infamous and romantic figure of Everest mountaineer Andrew Irvine. The third instalment of the very popular annual Longlands event hosted by trustee Jeff Ford, the talk was well received by the audience.

‘A truly wonderful talk, full of fascinating insights into the character and background of Irvine, told with verve and humour and superbly illustrated with historic pictures taken at the time.’ Sir Chris Bonington.

‘Impeccable professionalism of execution and the brilliant way Julie put over the story – neither too much, nor too little, but beautifully honed and crafted to fit the audience and the time. The accompanying, memorable images were so cleverly chosen and slotted in at the perfect moment: they will live long in the mind.’ Margaret Wilkes, Co-chairman RSGS Edinburgh Centre

Everest needs you Mr Irvine

The disappearance of Mallory and Irvine close to the summit of Mount Everest in June 1924 is perhaps the most romantic and the greatest unsolved mountaineering mystery. The discovery of Mallory’s body in 1999 answered none of these questions but it excited speculation and enthralled a new generation. At twenty-two Sandy Irvine was the youngest member of the 1924 Mount Everest Expedition but he was far from the inexperienced ingenue that history has suggested. He had crammed into his short life what few men achieve in a lifetime: from outstanding mechanical inventions during the First World War, via a double blue in rowing at Oxford and exploration in the Arctic, to a passionate love affair with his best friend’s stepmother, and perhaps standing on the summit of the world.

This beautifully illustrated talk by Julie Summers, Irvine’s great
niece and biographer, brings to life one of the most enthralling
 stories linked to Mount Everest. Set in the Edwardian era, when 
the conquest of the mountain represented the last, great challenge of exploration after both the poles had been discovered, it evokes the mood of the early twentieth century and of British climbing at the time of the First World War.

Julie Summers is a writer, broadcaster and historian with the same spirit for adventure as her forebear. A full time author since 2004, she has appeared regularly on radio, television and, most recently, in the film about Mallory’s last climb The Wildest Dream. She is current Chair of the Mountain Heritage Trust and believes strongly that the rich heritage of British mountaineering and climbing has an enduring appeal beyond the sport itself. When not caught up in writing, research or lecturing, Julie is a keen oarswoman.

Subscribe for updates

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Featured posts

Volunteers Wanted!

Read more

This year’s Boardman Tasker award ceremony

Read more

A brief introduction to the collecting of climbing guidebooks

Read more

Our new Collections Manager reflects on his first weeks in the role.

Read more

David Johnston-Smith joins the Trust

Read more

Mountain Heritage Trust Online Catalogue Launch

Read more

We're joining the Heritage Compass business support programme

Read more

Unseen footage of Doug Scott

Read more

Doug Scott, 1941-2020

Read more

Johnnie Lees' recycled mittens

Read more

Mallory Replica Clothing revisited

Read more

Can you help share our 20th anniversary fundraiser?

Read more

A massive thank you!

Read more

Siegfried Herford's crag ticklist 1909-1911

Read more

Funding announcement

Read more

Mountain heritage 20th anniversary fundraising campaign

Read more

Reopening statement

Read more

Support Britain's mountain heritage when you shop at amazon

Read more

21 years later - Mr Frostbite remembers

Read more

Mountain Heritage Trust film

Read more

In tribute to Joe Brown

Read more

Climb like it's 1949!

Read more

Nat Allen Collection

Read more

Mountain Heritage Trust celebrates 20th anniversary

Read more

Who Remembers the National Mountaineering Exhibition?

Read more

Fundraising thank you

Read more

Mountain heritage homeschool

Read more

Coronavirus closure information

Read more

Peak Preview launches at Keswick Museum

Read more

How they got there: Johnnie Lees

Read more

Which climbing axe would you buy? The history of the ice axe

Read more

Climb like a girl: Muriel Sauer

Read more

Climb like a girl: Mabel Barker

Read more