The Hannibal Lectures: Longest Climb

DILL PICKLE CLUB presents The Hannibal Lectures #14

Thursday October 22 @ 7.30pm

From Patagonia to the Himalayas, British mountaineer, rock climber and author Paul Pritchard has travelled all over the world in search of adventure.

A life-altering accident in 1998 hasn't changed that; in fact, he says it taught him some important life lessons.

Paul was climbing the Totem Pole – a slender dolerite sea stack off Tasmania's southeastern coast – when a boulder the size of a television fell from 25 metres and crushed his skull.

He was left with a traumatic brain injury, spent a year in hospital unable to speak, and permanently lost the use of his right side.

In the decades since, Paul has shown incredible determination, resilience and courage as he continues to seek out new challenges.

Eighteen years after the accident he returned to climb the Totem Pole, a feat recognised with an Australian Geographic Spirit of Adventure medal and a nomination for Australian of the Year.

He has also conquered Kilimanjaro, led "disabled adventurers" on recumbent tricycles to Mount Everest, and led a team of hikers with disabilities along the Larapinta Trail in the Red Centre – the subject of award-winning documentary Larapinta End to End.

Paul's latest challenge is the Lutruwita 15, in which he aims to climb all 15 mountains in Tasmania over 1,500 metres.

He has written four books – The Mountain Path, The Totem Pole, Deep Play and The Longest Climb – which will be available for purchase on the night.

Please arrive for the talk by 7pm.