Simon Yates

The man best known for cutting the rope holding his stricken climbing partner during an Andean expedition will be among speakers at this year’s Keswick Mountain Festival.

The story of Simon Yates’s fateful climb of Siula Grande and the incredible survival of both him and the badly injured Joe Simpson were the subject of the latter’s Touching the Void book and a subsequent film.

But Yates also has a climbing career spanning 30 years and has visited some of the world’s most remote mountains. He will talk about his adventures in those far flung locations during the festival in May.

Local mountaineering luminary Sir Chris Bonington will also appear among a roll call of speakers described by organisers as the strongest yet.

Alan Hinkes, the only Briton to have summited the world’s 14 highest peaks – each over 8,000m – will talk about both his experiences of the Himalaya and his love for the Lake District’s own Wainwrights.

And climbing’s latest double act, Andy Kirkpatrick and daughter Ella are set to inform, entertain and amuse with the story of their quest to climb the Yosemite big wall El Capitan together.

Karen Darke. Photo: Marte Lundby Rekaa

Festival director Lucy Scrase said: “We are delighted to be hosting our main speaker programme at the Theatre by the Lake.

“Not only is it a fantastic venue, but it is also located right next to our Festival Village in Crow Park, so together they should create a fantastic buzz throughout the festival.

“I think that this year’s speaker line up is stronger than ever. We will be welcoming some of the biggest names from different parts of the outdoor world, and between them they will be covering a really wide variety of subjects. It’s going to be a special week and the speakers are sure to be a big part of that.”

Karen Darke, who was injured in a climbing accident and whom organisers describe as an inspirational individual whose story is both gripping and uplifting, will talk about many of her challenges, including the story of her Paralympic year.

The festival will run from 15 to 18 May. Photographer John Beatty will kick things off, by sharing some of his images and stories from 25 years of assignments to over 38 different countries.

On the same night, environmentalist and cyclist Kate Rawles will also speak, along with explorer, TV and radio broadcaster and vice president of the Royal Geographical Society, Paul Rose.

Road and track cycling legend Graeme Obree will set the pace the following day.

The festival will also feature a host of activities from gorge scrambling and navigation training to a mine tour and kids’ triathlon.

Details and a booking facility are on the Keswick Mountain Festival website.