Evening with climber Alan will be a real highlight

MOUNTAINEERING legend Alan Hinkes is to give an insight into how he conquered the world’s highest peaks during a talk and film presentation in Barnard Castle later this month.

Mr Hinkes remains the only Briton to have scaled all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres.

He has been awarded an OBE for his exploits, although his achievements are still relatively unknown outside the climbing fraternity.

Last year he was the subject of a biopic produced by acclaimed filmmaker Terry Abraham.

Mr Hinkes will show an edited version before chatting about the film and many other aspects of his life and adventures at The Witham on Tuesday, January 30, as part of the venue’s spoken word programme.

Mr Hinkes promised an entertaining evening which would appeal to a general audience.

“You don’t need to be an expert. It’s not just mountains,” he said.

“I always try to make my talks interesting and humorous with plenty of anecdotes.

“There is everything from travel – to places such as Nepal and the Arctic – to photography and even visiting breweries.”

Mr Hinkes, who lives near Barnard Castle, said he had been delighted with the completed film and how it had been received.

“I was pleased with it. It’s a good film,” he said.

“It was hard work making it. There was a lot of travelling around with the filmmaker. It was quite good fun but very tiring.”

He added: “The feedback has been amazing. The comments from people who have reviewed it have been really good.

“I have had texts from old school mates who have seen it – it’s quite flattering.”

With the film now completed and available on DVD, Mr Hinkes said this meant much more freedom to get back into the hills and mountains this year.

Despite turning 60, Mr Hinkes said he had no intention of scaling back his time in the great outdoors.

“I’ll keep doing it. Next month, I want to go off to do some ice climbing or go across to Norway and climb some frozen waterfalls.”

Tickets for an evening with Alan Hinkes are available from The Witham box office priced £10 and £8 for those aged 16 and younger. The presentation starts at 7.30pm.

For more details, call the box office on 01833 631107.