Joe was 14 when he read The White Spider by Heinrich Harrer about the first ascent of the North Face of Mount Eiger in 1938. Despite the inherent dangers of mountaineering described in the book, this sparked in Joe a deep passion for the mountains, a desire that would ultimately shape the course of his life.
A hugely experienced and knowledgeable climber and mountaineer, Joe has conquered expeditions in Nepal, the Peruvian Andes, Karakoram and the Himalayas. One ascent in 1985, however, proved more dangerous and risky than most, and the climb nearly ended in tragedy. Joe and climbing partner, Simon Yates, made a first ascent of the previously unclimbed West Face of Siula Grande (6,344m) in the Cordillera Huayhuash in the Peruvian Andes. On the descent, Joe broke his leg and during the subsequent self-rescue, the two became separated in a storm with one of them leaving the other for dead. Joe was told by doctors that would have difficulty walking for the rest of his life let alone climb again.
Despite this, Joe quickly recovered and was climbing again within just two years. His recounted his ordeal in a book entitled Touching The Void which became one of the all-time classics of mountaineering and the story was adapted into a BAFTA Award-winning film. Hailed as an account of "... psychological, even philosophical witness of the rarest compulsion", Joe’s inspirational story draws amazement from everyone who hears it. Audiences at his speaking events will conclude that no matter how tough things may get, there is always a way come through and sometimes achieve even greater goals that you first thought even possible.
Joe's main appeal is that he tells his story in an articulate, unassuming and humorous speaking style, characteristics that will appeal to any audience.
