The Mountain Heritage Trust (MHT) is excited to support the recent release of a new biography, "Mountain Guru: The Life of Doug Scott," celebrating the extraordinary life and achievements of our esteemed former Patron and mountaineering icon, Doug Scott. Doug's remarkable journey not only redefined the limits of climbing but also left an indelible mark on the communities he so passionately supported.
Doug Scott, a revered figure in the mountaineering community, was more than just a climber; he was a visionary. His deep connection to the mountains was matched only by his commitment to preserving their history and culture. As a founder and Patron of the MHT, he played a pivotal role in our mission to document and celebrate the rich heritage of mountain climbing. Doug’s contributions extended far beyond his climbing feats. He was a devoted Chair of the Community Action Nepal, focusing on providing essential health and education services to Nepalese communities. His advocacy for the welfare and working conditions of porters in Nepal has been a source of inspiration for many.
"Mountain Guru: The Life of Doug Scott" is more than just a biography; it's a journey through the life of a man who embraced the mountains with his heart and soul. Authored by Catherine Moorehead, the book delves into Scott's early life, his groundbreaking ascents, and his philanthropic endeavors. This biography is not only for climbers or mountaineering enthusiasts; it's for anyone inspired by stories of resilience, passion, and making a difference. Doug's life story is a testament to what can be achieved when one combines a love for adventure with a deep sense of humanity.
The book is available for purchase at book shops everywhere, and online including on Amazon. As we celebrate the release of this biography, we at the Mountain Heritage Trust invite you to join us in honoring Doug Scott's remarkable life and contributions. His story continues to inspire new generations of climbers and adventurers, and through this book, his legacy will endure. We invite you to share your stories of Doug with us!
In response to our blog about the recent Doug Scott biography we had a fascinating response by email from Keith Hunter via his son-in-law and fellow climber Andy Tickle, who himself now coincidentally owns Doug's Canadian Alpine Journals.
Keith writes that
"In 1959, at the instigation of the apprentice supervisor I set up a climbing club for the Rolls-Royce apprentices. There were about 8 of us. One was a lad from Nottingham, Wes Hayden, who asked if he could bring along a couple of mates. I said OK and thought no more about it. Our first meet in the January was at Birchen Edge and we bivvied in the upstairs chicken hutch of the barn next door to the old Robin Hood pub. We were just settling down for the night when a face appeared at the glassless window. It belonged to a lad called Doug Scott who had just scaled the wall. He was joined, via the stairs, by his mate Dez Hadlam.
The following morning we all went climbing on a snow covered Birchen. Doug and Dez climbed with us for a few weekends before going their own way to do much more challenging things. The rest is mountaineering history."
It is indeed! Great stuff, Keith and Andy. Thanks so much for getting in touch.
To continue our ever increasing preservation and engagement work we are actively looking for financial donations of any amount.