Hampstead Arts Festival - ADD EVENT

Sir Chris Bonington

Sir Chris Bonington is Britain’s best-known mountaineer, as well as a writer, photographer, television presenter and lecturer. His numerous honours include Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1976), a knighthood (1996) and Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (2010). He lives in Cumbria but was born in Hampstead, where he attended University College School. A graduate of The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he served in the Armed Forces before becoming a professional mountaineer and explorer. 

Sir Chris’s name is synonymous with legendary climbing achievements, such as the first British ascent of the North Wall of the Eiger (1962). He led the expeditions which made the first ascents of the South Face of Annapurna (1970) and of the South West Face of Everest (1975) and he reached the summit of Everest himself in 1985. He made his first climb at the age of 16 and remains passionate about the sport. 

He has written 17 books, the most recent of which is Ascent (Simon & Schuster, 2017). He has also presented television programmes and lectured all over the world.

Rosie Goldsmith

Rosie Goldsmith is an acclaimed journalist and presenter. During her twenty years at the BBC, Rosie presented flagship programmes such as Crossing Continents, Open Book and Front Row. She appears frequently as interviewer and panellist at literary events in the UK and abroad. She is the Chair of Judges for the EBRD International Literature Prize.