MOUNTAINEERS and adventurers from around the world descend on South Cumbria next month, as Kendal Mountain Festival returns.

Along with the exciting line-up of film premieres, literature and arts events at the festival - running from Thursday November 16 to Sunday 19 - this year's roster of speakers promises to engage and excite the crowds.

Fans of BBC Two's documentary series Mountain: Life at the Extreme should attend the Brewery Arts Centre Theatre on Friday 17, from 11.30am. Producer Steve Greenwood gives an exclusive behind-the-scenes insight into the making of the programme, which studied the incredible humans and animals who call the Rockies, Himalayas and Andes home.

Friday night is 'Climbers' Night' at the festival, kicking off at 2.30pm at the Brewery Arts Centre Theatre for an entertaining audience with professional climbing duo Pete Whittaker and Tom Randall - also known as The Wideboyz.

From 6pm on Friday, Czech climber Adam Ondra will be speaking in Kendal Town Hall. The 24-year-old has ascended many of the world's most difficult routes, and is a three-time World Championships gold-medallist. The man widely regarded as one of the finest climbers currently operating comes to Cumbria fresh from conquering 'the world's hardest cliff', and will doubtless have many fascinating tales to share.


Highlights on Saturday 18 include the Findra Women in Adventure session, starting at 9am at the Brewery Arts Centre, where Scottish bike adventurer Lee Craigie and round-the-world explorer Jenny Tough share stories about their challenges and achievements as female adventurers.

Skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts can look forward to Ortovox Snowsports Session starting at 8pm on Saturday 18, as festival director Steve Scott hosts an evening at Kendal Town Hall. The former professional skier is joined by snowboarder Jenny Jones, who claimed Great Britain's first ever medal in a snow event at the Winter Olympics after winning bronze in the slopestyle event at Sochi 2014.

Joining them is big mountain skier-of-the-moment Jérémie Heitz, who takes time out from tackling death-defying descents in the Swiss Alps to entertain festival-goers.

Ultra-endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont makes an eagerly-anticipated appearance at the Brewery Arts Centre on Sunday 19, with his Around The World in 80 Days talk one of the weekend's can't-miss events.

Setting off from Paris on July 2 this year, Mark cycled 18,000 miles across Europe, Asia, Australasia and North America before arriving back in Paris 78 days, 14 hours and 14 minutes later.

This set a new record for travelling around the world by bike, and hearing about Mark's quest to 'redefine the limits of human endurance' promises to be an inspiring experience.

Kendal Mountain Festival runs from Thursday November 16 to Sunday 19. For a full programme and to book tickets, visit www.mountainfest.co.uk