OP Club Home > Forthcoming Events > 2008 > Colin Scott speaks to OPs

Forthcoming Events in 2008

Colin Scott speaks to OPs

Date:
Friday 3 October

Time:
1915 for 2000

Location:
Michael Nott Music School and David Bawtree Building, PGS

Cost:
Free

Booking:
Required

Those OPs who were at the School in the late 70s will remember Colin at the very forefront of CCF Adventure Training and the Mountaineering Club and Colin acknowledges that these early experiences in the Cairngorms, Snowdonia and the Lake District under the guidance of REH and WMT were his introduction to the skills and exhilaration of climbing and the stepping stone to what has been for nearly thirty years now an illustrious RAF career in which he has achieved considerable eminence as one of this country's leading mountaineers.

Shortly after joining the RAF in 1980 Colin became a member of the RAF Mountaineering Association and was climbing regularly in the French and Swiss Alps. His first experience of the Himalayas was in 1990 as a member of a joint RAF/Indian Air Force expedition to Kamet (7816m) in the Garhwal region of India. Four years later he was invited to lead an RAF expedition to Tilicho Peak (7134m) in Nepal. He made an ascent of Ama Dablam (6812m) in 1998 as part of the RAF Mountaineering Association's 50th Anniversary celebrations and was then selected in 2000 for a Joint Services Expedition to climb the SW Face of Kangchenjunga (8586m). This expedition not only made the second British ascent of the SW Face but it was the first team to conquer an 8000m peak in the new millennium. In 2004 Colin returned to the Himalayas, this time as Leader of a Joint Services expedition to attempt an ascent of Makalu (8463m) via the South East Ridge. Now, four years later, Colin has again, from March to June this year, led a Joint Services team attempting to conquer Makalu via the SE Ridge.

In the light of the huge success of our first OP Guest Presentation to the Club on February 8th this year when Jock Clear thrilled a packed David Russell Theatre with his account of life at the very top of Formula 1 Racing, the Committee, in conjunction with the Headmaster, decided to make such presentations a regular feature of the social life of the Club and the School. We were absolutely delighted therefore that Colin Scott, immediately on his return from the Himalayas, agreed to make the second such presentation and we are privileged that he has found the time to do so.

As in February, the evening will begin with a Drinks Reception in the foyer of the David Bawtree Building where it is hoped Catherine Smith, the School Archivist, will mount an exhibition in the adjacent Willis Room and all will move into the David Russell Theatre for Colin's Presentation at 8.00 p.m. The gathering will be open not only to OPs but to the whole school community of staff, pupils and parents and we anticipate huge interest. OPs are asked therefore to contact Gareth Perry (according to the three options below in order of preference) with the number (friends most welcome) in his/her party by Wednesday 1 October at the latest.

E-mail to: gareth.perry1@ntlworld.com
Phone call to: 023 9273 4606
Letter to: 34 Marine Court, Southsea, PO4 9QU

We much look forward to your being with us for another outstanding evening.

Gareth Perry