MOUNTAINEERING legend Doug Scott is coming to Helensburgh next week to share memories of his epic ascent to – and crawl down from – one of the world’s toughest peaks.

More than 40 years since Doug and another mountaineering icon, Chris Bonnington, made the first ascent of The Ogre, in the Karakoram range in Pakistan, Doug will visit the Victoria Halls this Monday, May 13, to look back on the experience.

With the aid of newly-discovered photographs and diaries, Doug is set to tell a thrilling tale of hard climbing, team work and survival against all odds.

For those who may not remember – or be old enough to remember! – news coverage of the climb in July 1977, Doug was lucky to escape with his life after he slipped below the summit, breaking both legs just above the ankles and losing his spectacles and ice axe.

He and Chris were forced to spend the night on a snow patch; storm and starvation, and days of crawling on hands and knees, followed, but they had to carry on before losing all their remaining strength.

With the help of Mo Anthoine and Clive Rowland, it took them eight days to reach base camp; it would be another 24 years before The Ogre was climbed again.

Monday’s talk, which begins at 7pm (doors open at 6pm), is part of a tour of Scotland in aid of the Community Action Nepal charity.

The evening will include a sale of Nepalese goods, cards and posters and will be followed by an auction of signed framed mountaineering prints, all supporting the post-earthquake reconstruction work of the charity (see canepal.org.uk for more information).

Doug will also sign copies of his award-winning autobiography, Up And About.

Tickets cost £15 (£13 concession for groups of 10 or more, under-18s, and those 65 or older), and are available in person at the Victoria Halls (01436 673275).

You can also book online via the Eventbrite link at canepal.org.uk/2019-lectures.