‘People often ask what it is like climbing with Ran, well, in a nutshell, bloody frustrating! In a way he is the perfect client, not concerned with why he needs to do things or how. He never wanted to learn how to climb; he simply wanted me to say that everything we did was building him towards the Eiger. He would drop gear regularly, or simply leave it behind.’

Kenton has been climbing for 18 years and in this time has established himself as one of the UK's leading alpine climbers with an impressive list of difficult ascents.

In May 2006 he became the first and only Briton to climb Everest three times, successfully guiding clients to the summit on each occasion. With Dream Guides successful Cho Oyu expedition in October 2006, Kenton made the first British ski descent of an 8000m peak. And if that's not enough, in 2007, Kenton summited Everest twice. Kenton is the only European to summit 6 times and to summit twice in a season... Most recently, Kenton is known for guiding Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

This lecture, including a Q&A session, will cover Kenton Cool’s past climbing and guiding achievements focussing specifically on his guiding of Sir Ranulph Fiennes up the North Face of the Eiger and on Everest.

Wednesday 21 October

Cotswold Outdoor, 13 Lower Northam Road, Hedge End, Southampton, Hampshire, SO30 4FN.

Tel: 01489 799555. Lecture starts 7.30pm.

Tickets cost just £8 (£5 for Hedge End residents) and free refreshments will be provided.