Expert climber to share stories

The "father of modern-day ice climbing" Barry Blanchard will speak in Nelson next Wednesday.

Mr Blanchard is speaking on a national tour organised by the New Zealand Alpine Club.

Mr Blanchard, who grew up in poverty, said he was looking at a life of delinquency and crime before he began to fantasise about becoming a mountain climber.

His climbing career began on the limestone cliffs of the Canadian Rockies, before progressing to the French Alps and the granite walls of Yosemite National Park, California.

In 1984 he took part in his first expedition to the Greater Ranges where he joined a young team to make the first ascent of the North Ridge of Rakaposhi, Pakistan. The ascent helped establish his reputation as one of the best alpinists.

Over the past 30 years he has continued to climb in the greatest mountain ranges of the world.

In 1993 he attempted the treacherous Kukuczka/Piotrowski route on K2 (Pakistan) and in 1994 the Kangshung Face of Everest, the most difficult route on the highest mountain in the world.

Known is also well-known for the extremely technical ice climbs he has done in the Canadian Rockies.

Mr Blanchard is speaking on Wednesday, 7.30pm, at the Nelson Hospital Seminar Centre, Braemar Campus, Waimea Rd (opposite the Emergency Department. Door sales at $15 are available from 7pm.

- © Fairfax NZ News