Paul Pritchard - The Totem Pole

A great night at Clachaig last night, very reminiscent of the good old days, as we enjoyed Paul Pritchard's lecture The Longest Climb.

Paul Last spoke at Clachaig some 12 years ago, around the time that his first book, Deep Play, was released. On that occasion he wowed a full house with his amazing photos of the climbs that he is famous for. The book went to win the 1997 Boardman-Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature.

Shortly after that, whilst attempting to climb The Totem Pole, a sea stack in Tasmania, Paul was struck on the head by a large rock. He miraculously survived the accident but now suffers from hemiplegia. The story is told in his book of the same name which aain won critical acclaim. Paul is the only author to win the Boardman Tasker Prize twice.

The Longest Climb covered his early climbing exploits through the 1980's and 90's, the acccident on the Totem Pole and his long battle to continue with an adventurous lifestyle in the period since.

It was an inspiring talk, and it was also fantastic to see Paul back in Glencoe again. As we put him back on the train this morning, his parting words were, "Maybe next time I come back I'll have a go at the Aonach Eagach ridge".

The lecture was a fringe event in the Fort William Mountain Festival. Paul is speaking at several venues around the UK and Europe during the course of the coming season. Contact him through his web site if you'd like to know more.

Totem Pole author confirmed

Further to our post below, we've now firmed up the details for the Paul Pritchard Lecture at Clachaig. See the Clachaig What's On listings for March for further details.

Copyright Paul Pritchard

Paul Pritchard was one of Britain's leading rock climbers until his now infamous accident on the Totem Pole, a sea stack in Tasmania. The story of the accident and the long period of recovery that followed was told in his award winning book "The Totem Pole".

12 years after his last visit to Clachaig, Paul returns to present his lecture "The Longest Climb".

The lecture is timed to be part of the week long Fort William Mountain Festival - so all in all a great time to visit, get some fresh air and enjoy a bit of entertainment through the evenings.

Paul Pritchard to return to Clachaig

Back in the days when we ran the Clachaig Winter Lecture series we had any number of personalities from the world of climbing, mountaineering and other 'out there' silly past times. And certainly, the 'big names' such as Chris Bonington & Doug Scott drew in the crowds. But of all the lectures, it was Paul Pritchard that sole the show with the biggest crowd one impromptu February night.
Paul's climbing antics were well known in the climbing circles, but it was a climb on the 'Totem Pole' in Tasmania that really brought him wider acclaim. His book of the terrible accident won the Boardman Tasker award for mountain literature.

For some time we've been trying to Paul back to Clachaig. But, as Paul now lives half way round the world, its been a bit of a struggle. However, looks like we've agreed a date for March to coincide with the Fort William Mountain Festival.

More details soon. But make a note in your diary for Monday 9th March.