From not being able to even get to the base of an intended objective to losing all climbing equipment at the very base of the mountain and many other misadventures, Tim explains how uncertainty has been at the core of all his significant adventures from the first Australian ascent of a 7000 m peak to simultaneously the first Australian ascent of an 8000m peak and Mount Everest.

Since his first expedition to the Himalayas in 1978, on which he became the only member of the 15-strong university club group to reach the summit, Tim has been back almost every year trekking and climbing in the remoter parts of the world’s greatest mountains.

Apart from their unmatched scale, the Himalayan/Karakoram mountains present the added challenge of high altitude where even their bases are as high or higher than the tops of the highest mountains in Europe, North America, and Australasia.

Tim’s presentation will focus on a few of his notable ascents but these accounts will be embellished with details of the cultures and natural environment that these mountains rise above.

Tim Macartney-Snape led the first Australian expedition to Mt Everest in 1984 when the team pioneered a new route on the north face of the mountain and startled the mountaineering world by making the ascent without bottled oxygen and no Sherpa support.

He returned to Everest six years later beginning the three-month climb on the Bay of Bengal walking over 1000km to Base Camp.

From there he climbed alone and without the assistance of fellow climbers Sherpas, or bottled oxygen, reached the summit on May 11th climbing the full 8,850 meters for the first time ever.

The Inspire Adventure Series is a monthly event designed to inspire you through captivating presentations by adventurers who will share their outdoor experiences via multimedia slideshows.

In addition to enjoying the presentation and participating in a Q&A session, there will be time to connect, chat, exchange ideas, and even find a partner for your next adventure!

We encourage you to bring children and teenagers along – we’d love to inspire them too!

Paddy Pallin is hosting nine sessions in 2025, scheduled for Thursdays each month from March through November. Snacks and drinks will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own food if you have specific dietary requirements. You’re also welcome to BYO drinks, including liquor.