Kenton Cool Biography

Place of Birth: London
Date of Birth: 30/07/73
Leadership/guiding qualifications: BMG Trainee Guide
Leadership/Instructional background: Kenton has been climbing for 14 years and in this time has established himself as one of the UK's leading alpine climbers with an impressive list of difficult ascents. In recent years, Kenton has been taking the skills honed by many seasons in the Alps and Scotland to the Greater Ranges with significant 1st ascents in Alaska, India, Pakistan and Nepal. These ascents reached a peak in 2003 with a major new route on Annapurna III (7,555m) for which Kenton, along with his two partners, were nominated for the prestigious Piolet D'Or Award in France. (An award given to the best alpine-style ascent of the year). Kenton has been a popular and successful Expedition Leader for Jagged Globe, having led a number of teams to summits in Nepal, including Ama Dablam and Everest.

Kenton Cool - major routes in recent years:

  • Stumps Route, Moonflower Buttress on Mount Hunter, Alaska. 1st British ascent.
  • Mini Moonflower, ED2, Mount Hunter, Alaska. 1st ascent.
  • Extra Terrestrial Brothers, 'Father and Son's Wall', ED2, Denali. 1st ascent.
  • Denali Diamond, South West Face of Denali. 2nd ascent (after 18 years!) and 1st free ascent.
  • Arwa Spire, 6,200m. Garhwal Himalaya, India. 1st ascent.
  • Annapurna III, South West Ridge (7,555m), 1st ascent.
  • Pakistan. Numerous 1st ascents to 6,000m in Nalta area and an attempt on the unclimbed South East Ridge of Sani Pakhush (7,212m).
  • Greenland. 13 1st ascents up to ED2 on two expeditions.
  • European Alps. 1st ascent central couloir on L'Olan in winter, North Face of the Grand Jorrasse (Croz Spur), Eiger North Face, North Face of Droites all in winter. 3rd ascent and 1st British ascent of Russian Roulette into Grabbou Sily.