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Kev Reynolds Talks at Stanfords Book Store |
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Written by Peter Burgess
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Thursday, 01 May 2008 |
 Peter & Kev  'Mountains that shone their benediction outside' really evoked what the Himalayan experience means to Kev. Through the forty minute presentation at the world famous map and travel book store, his passion for the whole region came flooding through. Everest was mentioned many times, but Kev described 5 regions which he thought epitimised Nepal trekking to him. 'Don't bother with base camp Everest' was a repeated theme as ironically you can't see the world's highest peak from there and on more than one occasion he stated his love for Nuptse 'a wonderful looking mountain' rather than the nearby Everest.
Kev outlined several excellent trips illustrated by some truly remarkable images on slide. Shots of Machapuchare or the Fish Tail peak were truly wondrous and together with his emotive description Kev relayed his passion for this wonderful place. I enjoyed Kev's remark that 'every micro-second is full of beauty' and his comment that you never forget the flavour from a yak dung fire really got a laugh!  The main theme from the talk was that you can trek and find your own quiet corner in this massive range. Kev seemed purturbed by the exploitation of Everest in a question and answers session after his talk, although he had been there. Like OFC member James Batchelor, he has climbed Kalla Pattar. However, Kev's recurring advice was to trek in one of the less popular areas, take a tent into the upper reaches of a valley for a day or two and really experience the mountains first hand. To him, like many more of us within the OFC, mountains are his great passion and in this presentation Kev's sense of wonder for these Himalayan giants came flooding out.
Many thanks to Lesley Williams ('Mrs. Cicerone') for helping to put on the talk and to Stanfords, London for hosting the event. Of course top priority goes to Kev Reynolds who later signed books and chatted. I hope to repeat this evening and hope Stanfords continue to host them. For £2 and a couple of glasses of wine who can argue? A final world from Kev, 'I certainly enjoyed the evening, for it's good to meet like-minded folk to share enthusiasms.' A short presentation from the event
 Cicerone Guides |
| HAVE YOU SEEN? |
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This letter was posted on the message board but might still inspire you to write in with your favourite. Equally, if you have just read a book and would write to write a review then please do contribute to the website, we would love to hear. Through the years I have compiled a veritable library of books, many of which focus on my greatest love - that of high places. To be honest I was surprised at my collection ranging from a book entitled, ‘Descriptive Tour’ from 1821, right up to Chris Jesty’s latest updated AW Pictorial Guide (Book 4). To be honest, I had quite a fun afternoon, in between the cleaning and recycling, by dipping into some of the literary gems that grace my shelves. |
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 As a child I remembered many famous mountaineering figures apart from the obvious character of AW more renowned for his walking exploits. However, other names featured in my perceptions of the high places. Some of them like Tom Weir featured on television, others like W. H. Murray, entertained me from the cover of a book, whilst to many the man in this article spoke to us all from the regular feature in The Manchester Guardian newspaper. A. Harry Griffin wrote an amazing Country Diary for nigh on fifty three years. In this time he took many on an amazing journey outside, what was for many, their urban homes. |
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The Lost Sheep
"On Saturday we met up with Ann and Roger Hiley, John Paterson and Terry Gargrave for a walk up High Rigg and on Monday we met Paul Harrison on Pike O'Stickle. It was a real pleasure meeting everybody and we enjoyed every minute." Dave Leslie
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