10 February 2011

No Way Back - Saturday Evening Lecture, 19th February 2011

The heartbreaking true story of a group of 30 climbers who conquered the summit of K2 only for 11 to perish during the descent will be told at the University of Dundee next week.

Graham Bowley, a writer for the New York Times and author of 'No Way Down: Life and Death on K2', will discuss how the group met with tragedy during one of the most dramatic episodes in mountaineering history when he delivers the latest instalment of this year's Saturday Evening Lecture Series.

The talk will see Graham re-create the fateful events that led to disaster and a group - many without oxygen and some without headlamps - being forced to descend in darkness and without protection after a huge ice chunk destroyed their fixed guide ropes. Miraculously, some survived but most were not so lucky.

The harrowing stories include those of the young married couple whose rope was torn apart by an avalanche, sending the husband to his death, and the 61-year-old Frenchman who called his family from near the summit to say he wouldn't make it home.

Graham's riveting talk is based on the research he carried out for his book, including in-depth interviews with survivors, family and friends of the deceased, and mountaineering experts.

He will bring the drama to life as he discusses what drove the party to try and conquer the elusive peak and what went wrong that day.

'No Way Back' takes place at the Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill at 6pm on Saturday, 19th February. A drinks reception will follow the event, and overflow theatres may be in use.

Free tickets are available by calling 01382 385564, emailing events@dundee.ac.uk, visiting the University's Online Store or from the University’s Tower Building Reception.

More information about all events in the 2011 Saturday Evening Lecture Series, and the speakers, is available at SELS 2011 web page.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277