Last week, mountaineer, explorer, author, documentary film maker and journalist Matt Dickinson inspired the whole of Year 9 with an amazing talk about his life.
Recently returned from Everest base camp, Matt told students about surviving a climb up this incredible mountain and how he used his love of exploration to start a second career as an author of young adult books such as The Everest Files.
Students heard how dangerous such a climb can be, how the risk of death can be high and yet, as Matt told us, many are still desperate to climb the mountain, despite the numerous perils that can be encountered.
We saw a photo of Matt’s frost bitten fingers, which to this day have little feeling in them, but are remarkably still attached to his hands. We learnt about Toffee Crisp bars exploding in his rucksack due to the altitude and how flushing toilets are not available in such rugged terrain!
At lunchtime, Matt signed copies of The Everest Files (supplied by Pickled Pepper Book Shop) in the Library and spoke to students. He also held writing workshops for some lucky Year 9 classes.
All his books will be available in the Library next term.
