Yvon Chouinard at Kendal Film Festival

Arguably the highlight of this year?s Kendal Mountain Film Festival will be the chance to hear US legend Yvon Chouinard talk about his climbing experiences.Despite being one of the world?s best-known climbing pioneers Chouinard has never spoken in the UK. Now sponsors Berghaus and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) have helped create this unique opportunity on Saturday 20th November. Chouinard?s climbing record is unequalled. First ascents in the early years of big-wall climbing in Yosemite, matched by serious ice and alpine routes around the globe ? the Alps, Himalayas, South America, even Scotland where Chouinard found some of the best winter climbing of his life.He?s also an obsessive surfer and fly-fisherman and an innovator in equipment ? forging the first hard steel pitons, and creating the first short, technical ice axe. Chouinard?s passions carried over into business success and environmental commitment when he founded outdoor-clothing manufacturer Patagonia. There?s also the rare chance to hear Chouinard talk about environmental responsibility in a discussion on Sunday 21st November.Full details at www.mountainfilm.co.uk Kendal Mountain Film Festival 13th-21st November 2004Kendal Mountain Book Festival 13th-19th November 2004