On the 25th-27th of July, MHT will take part in Kendal Mountain Festival’s inaugural foray into summer fun! ‘On The Edge’ is a unique event in partnership with the National Trust, and the weekend-long programme explores the theme of technology in the outdoors – resented by some, keenly received by others. A fringe version of the traditional outdoor social meet of the year, ‘On The Edge’ will screen some of the best films of KMF history alongside speakers such as Ella Kirkpatrick and Mr Frostbite – Nigel Vardy, plus workshops on the theme.

We are excited to be presenting a workshop at 10am on Sunday, ‘The History of Image-making in the Outdoors’, with photographer Henry Iddon. Henry recently borrowed an Edwardian 10×12 Underwood Instanto camera from MHT that belonged to the Abraham Brothers, widely recognised as the first adventure photographers, carrying it up Scafell Pike to celebrate the centenary of the first British HVS, Central Buttress. You can see the camera in its current home in our exhibition at Keswick Museum! Henry will be speaking about the development of photography, and some of the more unusual ways by which we record our memories of landscape. This will be an interactive and practical session asking how you record your experiences in the outdoors!

Kendal Mountain Festival have also invited some of the leading technological developers of the outdoor industry to demonstrate their current research. Petzl will present on lighting and safety and Garmin on navigation technology amongst others.

This is an event for the whole family, with wet-weather, tired children, or over-energetic adult options on all day. Get your festival ticket and camping spot at the On The Edge website, tickets are limited.

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