High Risk shortlisted for Boardman Tasker Award

High Risk by mountaineer and filmmaker Brian Hall has been shortlisted for the 2022 Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature.

High Risk is Brian’s first book, reflecting on the outrageous adventures of eleven of his climbing friends who risked, and too often lost, their lives to stand on some of the world’s highest peaks at a turning point in mountaineering history.

Sandstone’s Managing Director, Robert Davidson, says ‘High Risk is the perfect combination of high historical relevance for climbing and high readability with story after unputdownable story. Brian thoroughly deserves this recognition and I am proud that Sandstone Press is his publisher.’

Author Brian Hall is equally pleased with the listing. ‘I thank the Boardman Tasker judges for selecting High Risk for their short list from such a large and competitive group. Writing this book has enabled me to recall fast fading memories of my generation’s exploits and to recieve such an accolade is an honour.'

Feedback from the Boardman Tasker, courtesy of Marni Jackson, 2022 Chair of Judges, states that ‘High Risk takes the reader right to the heart and soul of the golden age of UK climbing.’

The Boardman Tasker Award Presentation will be held at 7-9pm (UK time) on Friday 18th November 2022, at the Kendal Mountain Festival.

About the book

The golden age of Himalayan mountaineering, from the mid 1970s to the ‘80s, brought forth a generation of radical young climbers. With tiny budgets and high ambitions they pioneered light and fast Alpine style expeditions on mountains such as Jannu, Nuptse, Everest, and K2.

In High Risk, Brian Hall recalls the outrageous adventures of eleven of his climbing friends who risked, and too often lost, their lives to stand on some of the world’s highest peaks at a turning point in mountaineering history.

‘Dazzling adventures recalled with wisdom and affection.’ -Stephen Venables, mountaineer and author

‘A major milestone in Alpine literature.’ -John Porter, author of One Day as a Tiger

‘A frank, first hand account of a bold, high-octane generation of British climbers.’ Bernadette McDonald, author of Winter 8000

About the author

Climbing exploits worldwide led Brian Hall to become an internationally certified mountain guide who provides extreme location safety and rigging for the film industry.

His numerous credits include the BAFTA award-winning film Touching the Void. Between 1980 and 2008, he co-directed the Kendal Mountain Film Festival of which he is a founder. Brian and his wife, Louise, divide their time between the UK’s Peak District and New Zealand’s Southern Alps. High Risk is his first book.