UKC

Iain Peters is a well-known climber. As a child, he suffered prolonged institutional brutality and sexual abuse. Unlike many other victims, he somehow managed to fight through to a better life. The Corridor tells his story.

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I talked with Iain a bit about his experiences when I made my final attempt to hold my own abuser accountable via the legal system (sadly Northumbria Police's 2007 investigation was so half arsed that it precluded any subsequent effective investigation being carried out). That conversation occurred at a particularly low point for me and helped me immensely.

Iain struck me as being a force of chaos when I met him on Lundy a few years ago and I couldn't figure out what to make of him at first. I quickly realised that he's also got a lot of really entertaining stories to tell, is a thoroughly nice bloke and the world is much better off for him having survived both his abuse and the subsequent mental health difficulties.

Loved that dscription of me as "a force of chaos", Spenser; shared by many, no doubt!

I can think of a few given the banter you have with them on the CC Facebook group!

I concur!

Years ago, I had a girlfriend called Gail. She was a social worker, who willingly chose to work in what was then regarded as a career backwater: residential homes. One day a lady in her late eighties confided that, when she was about 17 or so, she’d had an illegitimate child. Her daughter had been taken away from her into care; she never saw her again. She’d kept her secret for 70 years, had never told anyone before, because it was too shameful. Can you imagine the pain of keeping such a secret for all that time – about 1912 to 1982?

Someone very well known indeed in the climbing community once confided in me that he’d been abused when he was eight years old. I can still hear the pain in his voice. I’m guessing he told few others (if anybody). He was then in his sixties. He would never meet me, kept making excuses. Did he feel it was too shameful? Probably.

He had a brilliant mind. His life could have been so much more. But it wasn’t. His death was squalid. Nobody deserves to die like he did.

So much shame. So many unheard voices…

Good review of an excellent book. I wonder if it might be possible to add something at the bottom directing readers to sources of help should they need it. Various charities are available and can be useful if reading this raised issues from their own lives.

Well done Iain for havibg the strength to write it, am sure it will help others.

Cheers

S

A superb review from Mick of a wonderfully, inspiring book which I have just finished reading. Eloquently written by Iain, I cannot recommend this fine tome highly enough so go order a copy today!

Cheers

Dave

Many thanks for this brilliantly written review Mick. I´ve ordered the book.

@IainPeters - I´ve just re-read your (also brilliantly written!) article (linked above), and with the new knowledge of the years of ordeal from which you´d just escaped when you made that first ascent my first thought was: "Thank God we have the rocks, the wildness of nature and a spirit of exploration; they can help to save us". Thank you for your courage in writing "Corridor".

@BALD EAGLE - I´d gone to the route description and found this uplifting film of yours about the fifty climbers (well, most of them) on Right Angle to celebrate its 50th anniversary:

https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/gurnards_head-197/right_angle-2873...

What a party, so much joy in living celebrated there! Thank you also!

Hi Spike,

You're right about including charities that might help. Here are four:

https://rapecrisis.org.uk

https://247sexualabusesupport.org.uk

https://www.survivorsuk.org.  They support males and non-binary survivors of sexual violence, providing counselling, practical help and community

https://napac.org.uk/. They support adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse

Hey McHeath

Thanks a million for your kind words and I'm glad you enjoyed my wee video of the 50th anniversary ascent of Iain's classic route Right Angle.  It was a bonkers day trying to get 50 climbers (aged 8 to nearly 80) safely up the route using the high level traverse on Pitch 2 for logistical and safety reasons. For anyone else interested here is the link:

https://youtu.be/kQxp2UzCebQ?si=eL_5zxGMrUc1k8wi

I believe the 60th anniversary is only a few years away so perhaps a repeat could be in order... 😉

Cheers

Dave

The banality of evil…

Only just over one year, August 2026 @BALD EAGLE!  Perhaps I should book the route?!!! Didn't we all descend on a young couple who had planned a nice, peaceful and romantic ascent?

NAPAC are for all survivors of childhood abuse, they're one of very few charities who will support men who were subjected to violent (but not sexual) abuse in childhood. The amount of support for survivors in general is appalling.

They are a bloody fantastic charity from my experience doing a group counselling thing with them a few years ago.

They are. I went to their offices in London after my news interview was broadcast. Shortly after there was an internal crisis resulting in some staff leaving but I understand that NAPAC are now fully operational again and providing great support for survivors.

I am giving a talk on the issues raised by The Corridor at the British Mountain Medicine Society9BMMS)/BMC Event in Hathersage on Saturday 10th May. Here is the link:

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/en/mountain-medicine-weekend

Almost all health professionals have to undertake regular soulless on-line child protection training. It is boring and poor quality education.  It is on no value. Reading this book alone is worth a hundred on-line courses.

I recommend it to all health professionals, teachers and those working with children and vulnerable adults.  I have listed it in my CPD record for 2025. 

It is for this reason that we including an interview with Iain at the BMC/BMMS Layperson's Mountain Medicine festival in Hathersage on 10/11 May. Still a few places available.

David Hillebrandt (GP)