Latest news from Kendal Mountain Festival reveals there’s plenty of riveting stuff to look forward to at this November’s event.

As always there’s an exciting mix of speakers appealing to climbers, adventurers and armchair alpinists alike.  A new Alpine Session features a galaxy of stars from sponsors Black Diamond including Ines Papert, who barely needs introduction as one of the world’s top alpine climbers; Babsi Zangerl, the top female boulderer now applying her talents to mountain routes, and Korrado Pesce, Chamonix-based guide and alpine hotshot.

At the new Rock Session there won’t be an ice axe in sight: just rock. Limestone, grit, granite, gneiss, sandstone, gabbro and - yes - even vertical choss. Hosted by Rob Greenwood from UKClimbing, sponsor Petzl is bringing one of its most personable rock stars along, Swiss climber Nina Caprez, plus a man who needs little introduction: Neil Gresham, one of our best all-rounders, talks deep-water soloing, ice and steep rock.

Speaking of all-rounders, Dave MacLeod will be at the premiere of the latest Hotaches Productions film ‘Transition’, featuring Natalie Berry in her journey from indoor climbing to hard trad with Dave acting as mentor. Dave also updates the audience on his latest exploits on the Saturday morning, in a stand-alone lecture.

This year Chamonix celebrates the 150th anniversary of 1865, an eventful year when the Golden Age of mountaineering reached its climax. In partnership with the town of Chamonix, Kendal celebrates this anniversary with a special, one-off Session presented by alpinist and UKClimbing editor Jack Geldard. The ever-expanding lineup features Patrick Gabarrou representing the 70s/80s generation, modern alpinist Jeff Mercier, filmmaker Dom Green on his Gary Hemming project, plus both Chris Bonington and Catherine Destivelle reminiscing on their experiences.

Scottish climber Robbie Phillips recently shot to prominence with a series of high-profile repeats in the Alps, completed an astonishing trilogy of alpine climbs in a single summer; Paciencia (8a), Silbergeier (8b+) in Switzerland and Project Fear (8c) in the Dolomites; Kendal Climbing Wall hosts a talk by one of the UK's top all-round climbers.  Plus there’s the well-known climber, writer and photographer David Pickford, editor-in-chief of Climb Magazine, with a special lecture in two parts showcasing his best climbing photography and readings from his recently published collection of short stories.

Finally for now, news of two big Sunday afternoon lectures.  First up is Andy Kirkpatrick, the ‘stand-up mountaineer’ famed as ‘Hull’s second-best climber’, talking about his exploits over the last couple of years. Then Leo Houlding recounts his most recent project: the unclimbed Mirror Wall in Greenland on which, after 12 nights on portaledges, Leo and his team topped out on 30 July. Leo’s presentation at Kendal will be a unique opportunity to hear him speak about this latest adventure, featuring film excerpts and special guests.