We are delighted to announce that Rock Athlete, our autobiography of legendary British rock climber Ron Fawcett, has been shortlisted for the 2010 Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature. 

Established in 1983, this prestigious international prize – the largest of its kind – is presented by the Boardman Tasker Charitable Trust, which promotes literature by providing an award to authors of literary works, the central theme of which is concerned with mountains.

Announcing the 2010 shortlist, the panel of judges commented of Rock Athlete: “This is a frank and engaging portrait of an unassuming yet remarkable climber; an inspirational subject and a story shot through with honesty and integrity.”

The Boardman Tasker Prize commemorates the lives of Peter Boardman and Joe Tasker – outstanding mountaineers and accomplished authors – who disappeared together high on Everest in 1982. It is given to the author or co-authors of an original work which has made an outstanding contribution to mountain literature.

5 titles have been shortlisted for the 2010 prize, including Rock Athlete. As has become tradition in recent years, the award will be presented at a special ceremony as part of the Kendal Mountain Festival on Friday 19 November.

Previous high profile local winners include Touching the Void by Joe Simpson in 1988; and Learning to Breathe, former Barnsley miner Andy Cave’s first book in 2005.

Revelations, our autobiography of rock climber Jerry Moffatt, was shortlisted for the 2009 prize, and went on to win the Grand Prize at the Banff Mountain Book Festival. In December 2009 we also acquired the UK rights to the 2009 Boardman Tasker winner Beyond the Mountain by American Steve House.

For more information about the Boardman Tasker Prize visit: www.boardmantasker.com