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Peter Boardman

ピーター・ボードマン

Pītā Bōdoman

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1950-12-25 （Stockport, Cheshire, England）
Died
1982-05-17 （North East Ridge, Mount Everest, Tibet） age 31
Nationality
British
Languages
English
Residence History
Stockport (birth, childhood) → Nottingham (university) → Leysin, Switzerland (Director, International School of Mountaineering)

Career

Occupations
Mountaineer, Author, Mountaineering instructor
Active Years
1966-1982
Affiliations
British Mountaineering Council, International School of Mountaineering (Leysin), Association of British Mountain Guides
Memberships
British Mountaineering Council (elected vice-president 1979), Association of British Mountain Guides (elected president 1979)
Influenced By
Chris Bonington, Dougal Haston
Influenced
Mountain literature and climbing community (inspired the Boardman Tasker Prize)

Education

Stockport Grammar School
Period: 1956–1969
Year of Graduation: 1969
Country: United Kingdom
Participated in school climbing activities; took part in school trips to Corsica and the Swabian Alps (1964–66).
University of Nottingham
Faculty of English / Department of English
Degree: 学士（英文学）
Period: 1969–1972
Year of Graduation: 1972
Country: United Kingdom
President of the Mountaineering Club (1971–1972). Participated in a 1972 expedition to the Hindu Kush.
University College of North Wales (Bangor, now Bangor University)
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (English and outdoor activities)
Degree: PGCE
Period: 1972–1973
Year of Graduation: 1973
Country: United Kingdom
Postgraduate teaching qualification in English and outdoor activities.

Awards

John Llewellyn Rhys Prize
1979
Work: The Shining Mountain
Organization: John Llewellyn Rhys Prize (administrators)
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Shining Mountain: Two men on Changabang's West Wall

1978 Mountaineering literature

An account of the first ascent of Changabang's West Wall. Focuses on the lightweight alpine-style ascent and the partnership and psychological dynamics between Boardman and Joe Tasker.

alpine style climbingfriendship and partnershipdecision-making under extreme conditions

Sacred Summits: A Climber's Year

1982 Mountaineering literature / travel

Details a series of expeditions from 1979 (Carstensz Pyramid, Kangchenjunga, Gauri Sankar, etc.), combining climb reports and personal reflection. Published posthumously.

exploration and recordethics of climbingconfrontation with nature

Bibliography

  • The Shining Mountain (1978)
  • Sacred Summits (1982)
  • Various articles and reports (1971–1981) published in climbing journals and magazines
  • Boardman Tasker Omnibus (1995, reissue)

Adaptations

  • Material and footage from expeditions used in documentaries about Everest and other climbs

Translations of Works

  • Works originally in English; appeared in omnibus editions and have excerpts translated or republished

Style & Themes

Literary Style
technical, detailed description combined with lyrical recollectionbalanced objective observation and introspection
Recurring Motifs
dialogue with the mountaintrust and conflict between partnerspursuit of lightweight alpine-style climbing

Legacy

Peter Boardman is regarded as a leading British mountaineer and contributor to mountain literature of the 1970s–80s. The Boardman Tasker Prize, established in his and Joe Tasker's memory, continues to honour mountain writing. His legacy is also marked by commemorative climbing walls and memorial events at his alma mater and affiliated organisations.

Museums

  • Mountain Heritage Trust (related materials) United Kingdom

Academic Societies

  • British Mountaineering Council
  • Association of British Mountain Guides

Archives

  • Boardman Tasker Charitable Trust (archive and administration)
  • Materials held by the Mountain Heritage Trust

In Popular Culture

  • Boardman Tasker Prize (literary award)
  • Commemorative calendars, climbing walls, and memorial articles

Quotes

  • “This climb would be all that I wanted. Something that would be totally committing, that would bring my self-respect into line with the public recognition I had received for Everest.”
    Source: The Shining Mountain, 1978 (1978)

Trivia

  • Peter Boardman and Joe Tasker went missing on Everest's North East Ridge in 1982; remains later identified on the ridge.
  • The Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature was established in 1983 in their memory.
  • A Peter Boardman climbing wall was dedicated at Stockport Grammar School (dedicated 2008).