Doug brings his story of endurance and survival
People on Arran will be able to meet legendary mountaineer and explorer Doug Scott CBE when he hosts a special 40-year anniversary talk next month.
Doug, who is known for one of the most dramatic stories of survival after encountering difficulties in the Karakoram mountains in Asia, will provide listeners with details of his adventures using photographs and excerpts from his diary.
In July 1977, Doug and another icon of mountaineering, Chris Bonington, made the first ascent of Baintha-Brakk (7,285m) in the Karakoram – descriptively known as The Ogre. Their climb extended the boundaries of what had been achieved before at that altitude. But it was the subsequent descent from the summit in the dark, that turned a catalogue of disasters, that would have defeated most people, into an epic journey.
Doug slipped on the abseil below the summit, breaking both legs just above the ankles and losing his glasses and ice axe. He and Chris were forced to spend the night on a snow patch, warding off frostbite. Chris then went on to alert their team-mates, while Doug crawled out on his hands and knees. Storm and starvation followed but they had to carry on regardless before losing all their remaining strength. Chris abseiled off the end of the rope, smashing his ribs and later contracting pneumonia. With the selfless help of Mo Anthoine and Clive Rowland, it took them eight days to reach base camp but the adventure did not stop there ...
The talk takes place at Arran High School on Tuesday July 4 at 7.30pm and proceeds from ticket sales, which are available online or at Arran Active in Brodick, will go towards the work of Doug’s charity in Nepal, Community Action Nepal. Ensuring that the maximum amount of funds go to the charity, Arran Active will cover the costs of the venue, and accommodation has been provided by Sherie and Andrew Walker at Ivybank in Lamlash.
The evening will also include a sale of Nepalese goods, cards and posters and the talk will be followed by an auction of signed framed mountaineering prints, all supporting the post-earthquake reconstruction work of Community Action Nepal. Doug will also sign copies of his award-winning autobiography Up and About.