On Monday 7^th November King’s hosted a visit from Matt Dickinson, a seasoned explorer, filmmaker and writer.

Matt was the first person to film from the summit of Everest and in his career he has made documentaries about Antarctica and Greenland and Alaska, as well as filming on the top of the highest live volcano in the world.  Matt has made films for National Geographic TV, the Discovery Channel and the BBC. Matt has survived avalanches, a killer storm in the death zone on Everest and even an attack by beavers!

Matt gave us a fascinating account of what climbing Everest actually entails. If you can spare five years to dedicate yourself to the gruelling training and detailed planning, can devote ten months of your life to the trekking and the climb, and have £30,000 spare, you might be in a position to climb Everest and spend 15 minutes at the top yourself - that’s a lot of time and money for a good view! 

Matt spoke in detail about the experiences, hardships and challenges of climbing the highest mountain in the world, and what it means to climb up into the dead zone where there is so little oxygen, where you are at the mercy of avalanches, rockfalls, crevices, exposure and frostbite. Matt inspired us with his talk of challenging oneself to go well beyond one’s comfort zone.  He spoke about risk; 4% of the people who climb Everest die on the mountain - their bodies are never recovered but stay there frozen for centuries in their death pose.  If you are injured and are lucky enough to be within the fly zone of a helicopter, it will cost you £10,000 for that flight to rescue you.  The average life expectancy of an Everest helicopter rescue pilot is three years! 

Matt spoke about the environmental effects of the climbing season on Everest and the surrounding areas, and how the Western climbers are reliant on the Sherpas, who take most of the risk and are paid a pittance. 

Matt emphasised that, more than just a physical challenge, climbing Everest is a psychological and even moral challenge. Despite the 4% risk of death, most of the fourth and fifth form said that they would be prepared to take the risk for the experience of standing on the top of the world. I have to say that this humble teacher wouldn’t - and in fact I was amazed that some present, including Matt himself, said they would take the 29% risk of death that climbers face when they attempt the mountain K2 which is just 300 m smaller than Everest.  I’m not an adrenaline junkie, I would far rather be sitting on a beach on a Greek island!   

In the afternoon Matt gave a presentation to the fifth form Geographers on ecotourism and on life in extreme environments, and this supported work that the Geographers are doing at the moment towards their GCSE.

All in all it was fascinating listening to Matt’s tales and it certainly piqued our student’s interest and set them thinking, as is testified by the number who spoke to Matt after the talks and bought, and asked him to sign, copies of his books.

Mike Keogh - Librarian