UKC

Author Dan Richards recently published a book about retracing the steps of his great-great aunt - the pioneer of women's climbing and mountaineering, Dorothy Pilley.

Following in the hand-and-footholds of his great-great aunt, Dan's latest book Climbing Days - fittingly reviving the title of Dorothy's memoir - traces her adventures with a keen and analytical eye, with a heavy dose of humour and self-deprecation to boot. An inexperienced climber, Dan threw himself in at the deep end, embarking on a climbing apprenticeship and visiting Dorothy's old haunts. Natalie Berry finds out more about Dan's project and his remarkable relative.

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In reply to UKC Articles:
I enjoyed the book this summer, and this is a great wee interview. I don't think Dan climbed the North Ridge though, he was dragged up a different route by a very quick guide.

I did wonder whether some quiet revisiting of Cambridge roofs was going to be described, perhaps that would be too much.

In reply to john irving:

Hello John,

You're quite right — I went up the Normal/Easy Route, first with my father, Tim, then with the Swiss Guide Jean-Noël Bovier.
Tim climbed the Ferpècle Ridge in 1982.
Neither of us have been up the North Arête/Face since it's terrifying and leagues beyond us — as it's beyond most but he very best climbers, I'm sure. A quite amazing feat to have been achieved in 1928.

Very glad you enjoyed the book!

Best Wishes,

Dan