Everest mountaineer Kenton Cool kicks off new-look Buxton Adventure Festival

The 11-times Everest summiteer will be the first headline speaker as the festival, now in its fourth year, takes an exciting new direction.

The Buxton Adventure Festival has previously been held over one weekend, packing in 10 speakers back to back over two days.

Starting from November, every speaker will get a headline evening slot, with 10 mini-festivals taking place throughout the 2015/16 calendar.

Each event will feature a main speaker, a support speaker, a short film and stunning photography, ensuring a full evening of action-packed entertainment.

The events will be held in the Pavilion Arts Centre, part of the Buxton Opera House, with the University of Derby and The Old Hall Hotel continuing as sponsors.

Headlining the first event, on November 7 at 7.30pm, Kenton will share his latest expedition attempting a new line to the summit of Indian giant Nanda Devi East.

The 7434m peak is one of India’s most challenging mountains. Only two established and verified routes to the summit exist, with the Sherpa Adventure Gear-sponsored Kenton and team attempting a third, via the North-East Ridge. The team will return in October.

The support speaker will be Heather Geluk, a Canadian climber and adventurer whose mountaineering achievements include many of the Himalayan giants. Heather was in Nepal in April, when an earthquake devastated the country, killing almost 9,000 people and leaving hundreds of thousands destitute. She will share her experiences and insights helping to rebuild the country after abandoning her attempt to climb the 14th highest mountain in the world.

The second Buxton Adventure Festival event will take place on January 21, featuring adventurer Alastair Humphreys as the headline speaker. Alastair’s achievements include cycling around the world, walking across India and rowing the Atlantic.

Further events will take place in February, March, April, May, June, September, October and November 2016 – with dates and speakers to be announced.

Matt Heason, Buxton Adventure Festival director, said: “I am extremely excited to be launching the new format Buxton Adventure Festival. Each of the 10 events running throughout the year will be mini-festivals in their own right. All our speakers get headline evening slots and there are more opportunities for people to attend.

“The festival is a celebration of adventure sports and travel and now we can continue that celebration throughout the year. The continued support of our sponsors, the University of Derby and The Old Hall Hotel, have made the switch possible and helped us grow the festival into an established part of the Peak District Events calendar.”

Professor Rod Dubrow-Marshall, Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Derby Buxton Campus, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the changing and growing Buxton Adventure Festival. As a leading university in outdoor leadership and sports performance courses, adventure is central to what Derby University’s Oaklands Manor courses are all about.

“The events’ speakers are an inspiration to our students and our association with the festival is a continuation of our commitment to delivering the practical skills and experience our students need for a successful future.”

For information on how to purchase tickets visit the Buxton Adventure Festival website at www.buxtonadventurefestival.co.uk/buy-tickets.