A legend in the Lake District climbing scene, Rob Matheson has been at the forefront of establishing challenging new routes since the 1970s. In recent years, Rob has been revisiting and re-climbing many of his classic lines to mark their 50th anniversaries, often documented under his YouTube persona, 'The Angry Pensioner'. Rob recently announced his intention to take on an even greater challenge: the iconic and famously bold route, The Bells, The Bells! at Craig Gogarth. Following a special screening of the film ‘The Bells’, Rob will join the Kendal Team on stage for a Q&A about climbing this route.

Former Royal Marine, Mitch Hutchcraft recently finished his 'record-breaking' triathlon — a truly unique and epic challenge. The journey comprised swimming the English Channel, cycling 10,000km from France to India, trekking 900km from the Indian coast to Kathmandu, and finally ascending 350km from Kathmandu to the summit of Everest. Through this incredible endeavour, Mitch has been raising money for SAVSIM, a wildlife conservation organisation he is an ambassador for, which also offers vital mental health support to veterans.

Miriam Payne and Jess Rowe are the formidable women behind 'Seas the Day', an ocean rowing team driven by a shared love for adventure and the ocean. After 165 days at sea, traversing 8,213 nautical miles, they have secured a new world record as the first women's team to row the Pacific Ocean non-stop and unsupported, travelling between Peru and Australia.

Known as 'The Hull Boy', Marcus Skeet became the youngest person to run from Land's End to John O'Groats at just 17 years old. Running played a crucial role in improving his mental health, and he undertook the challenge to raise awareness and funds for Mind Charity. In under two months, he successfully completed the 874-mile journey, raising an impressive £164,560 for Mind.

Gilly McArthur is a qualified swim coach, climber, and passionate advocate for mental health, collaborating with a UK-wide team that uses NHS cold water swimming trails to help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Her writing on cold water swimming has been featured in publications such as The New Yorker, National Geographic, Conde Nast Traveller, and Sidetracked, and featured in “Taking the Plunge” and “The Art of Wild Swimming”. Gilly's debut book, “The Beauty of the Cold”, is set for release in May 2026.

Jude Kriwald is an explorer, filmmaker, and recipient of the British Exploring Society’s Leader of the Year Award. His debut film, Alone Across Gola, invites the audience into the depths of the Liberian rainforest as he attempts to retrace a lost track never previously undertaken by bicycle. Jude is also the founder of AdventureMentor.org, which provides free adventure mentoring to individuals who are typically underrepresented in the world of adventure.

Award-winning journalist Monisha Rajesh has experienced the world through a captivating series of train journeys. Her latest book, Moonlight Express: Around the World By Night Train, takes readers on an eloquent, humorous, and beautifully observed account of navigating the globe after dark. This presentation is more than just a travel talk; it is a celebration of wonder, wanderlust, and the unhurried romance of the railway, offering stories that connect us across continents, cultures, and time zones.

In 1924, George Mallory and Sandy Irvine set out on their fateful attempt to summit Everest. One hundred years on, twins Ross and Hugo Turner retraced the expedition – one equipped in Mallory’s 1924 replica kit and the other in cutting edge gear. Over the last decade, the duo have completed multiple expeditions to advance our understanding of human performance and technological innovations, catalysed by the spinal injury Hugo faced when he was 17.

Deo Kato is a Ugandan-British ultra-endurance runner, orator, and social justice advocate. In 2024, he achieved a historic feat as the first person to run from Cape Town to London, a  journey that drew global attention to the realities of human migration. Deo is leveraging his platform to confront the systemic barriers that exclude global majority communities from the sport, both within the UK and internationally, striving to open doors, amplify diverse voices, and transform running into a powerful agent for change.

After growing up in Scotland, Louis Hall's journey began with a trip to northern Mongolia at age 18 in search of the Tsaatan tribe, where he first discovered the profound connection offered by the horse. This experience led him to embark on a 1147-mile ride down the length of the UK, which raised funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and paved the way for 'The Big Hoof', a Scottish mental health charity. Later, accompanied by his horse, Sasha, he spent 111 days crossing Europe, establishing the first recorded conclusive horse-trail across the Ligurian Alps. His debut book, In Green, chronicles this expedition – Louis will join a Kendal Presenter on-stage to share this journey.

Joining us for special screenings of The Lost Boys of Carbis Bay, we have members of the Carbis Bay Crew – a daring band of unlikely explorers uncovering the forgotten mines of Cornwall, only to unearth an unexpected journey of self-discovery. For this motley crew, the pursuit of the unknown serves as a cathartic release, allowing them to momentarily cast aside their worries and reset for the challenges of everyday life. Transcending mere adrenaline urges, the group becomes a vital means of connection and understanding, underscoring the importance of community in our lives.Falmouth 22 May

Angus Breton, co-producer and editor of the Lost Boys of Carbis Bay, is joining us in Bantham to share insights from the award-winning film, premiered at Kendal Mountain Festival 2025. Following a special screening, meet the Cornwall-based editor and learn about the behind-the-scenes of filming in the forgotten mines of Carbis Bay. 

Bantham 23 May