Paul Pritchard

Climbing defined Paul Pritchard's existence and sign-posted his horizons.

He earned international respect as a cutting-edge climber and mountaineer. He has published three books:

'Deep Play' won the prestigious Boardman/Tasker Award for mountain literature in 1997 and the 'Totem Pole' won both the 1999 Boardman/Tasker Award and the 1999 Banff Mountain Book Festival Grand Prize. He is the only author to win the B/T twice. In 2005 he completed 'The Longest Climb'. These books are available from Amazon (please click on the covers in the left column).

During a planned year-long trip climbing around the world, Paul had an appalling head injury whilst climbing the 'Totem Pole' in Tasmania. He suffered hemiplegia, a paralysis of one side of his body, and lost the power of speech for many months.

Since his accident Paul has continued to lead a challenging life, climbing Kilimanjaro, caving, tricycle racing, sea kayaking, river rafting and, in 2009, lead rock climbing.

Paul has devoted a considerable amount of time to raising money and awareness for the charity Headway and the Upendo Leprosy Centre in Tanzania.

Paul now lives in Tasmania.

A Game One Climber Played

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An Adventurer's Life

Placca di Baone, Arco, Italy.

2009
Led first route after an eleven year gap.

Coruscades, Franklin River

2008

Rafted the Franklin River in Tasmania's South West.

2004

Successful all-disabled ascent on Kilimanjaro (5896 metres) by the Western Breach Route. Rock climbing again in Colorado and Snowdonia.

Federation Peak ©Grant Dixon.

2002

Eighteen days spent traversing the Eastern Arthur Range and an attempt on Federation Peak in Tasmania.

From left to right: Bernard Kinyua, Jane Boucher and Paul Pritchard on the summit of Point Lenana, Mount Kenya.

2001

Success on Point Lenana on Mount Kenya. The climb was sponsored in aid of Headway - a non-profit brain injury charity that works with people who have suffered a traumatic head injury.

2000

Trekking in the Utah Desert (USA) and Tasmania and a failed attempt to climb Jebel Toubkal in the Atlas mountains of Morocco.

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Public Speaking

Speaking in Lecco, Italy, 2009.

Paul undertakes regular reading performances and will make an excellent speaker for your conference, lecture, after-dinner speech, sales meeting, in-house training, cruise ship, marketing event, workshop, seminar and in Schools and Colleges. With his background of high adventure and personal journey into disability, Paul would be a great choice for your event.

Paul has lectured in primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, at nursing schools and hospitals around the world. He has spoken at Banff, Telluride and Kendal MoluntainFilms. In 2009 Paul lectured in Italy and France and UK and was a guest speaker at The Domzale Mountain Film Festival in Slovenija.

Anyone wishing to arrange a performance can contact Paul by emailing him on paul@paulpritchard.com.au.

Sponsors

This picture was taken at the airport in Hobart, Tasmania with Neale Smith

Described by Paul as his "lucky break". Neale was only 10 minutes from the end of his shift as a paramedic in Hobart when the call came through that was to end in the dramatic rescue from the Totem Pole after 10 hours. Neale flew to the 'Tote by helicopter and landed a kilometre away. After running the remainder and finding Paul's tyrolean rope in place, he made the agonising decision to lower Paul down to a waiting rescue boat without the 'full-on spinal care' which would have meant waiting for a spinal board and full immobilisation.

Everyone now agrees that those precious minutes that Neale saved whilst there on the 'Tote alone with Paul probably saved his life. Neale has been a climber for 22 years.

Paul and Cathey Casey at Mountain Works