Ben Heason

Ben gave his first slideshow back in 2002 and has now given over 200 talks throughout England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Jersey, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland and Australia. Regularly speaking in schools for the past 5 years, Ben also talks to climbing audiences, at staff development sessions, conferences and other non-climbing audiences, successfully adapting his approach to ensure that everyone is entertained, and gains greatly from his inspirational, enthusiastic and often humorous anecdotes.
One of the UK’s leading climbers, Ben has been climbing full time for over 15 years. He is world-renowned for his bold climbing on routes at the cutting edge of the sport, including his impressive exploits on big wall expeditions around the globe. In 2005 Ben was part of an international Expedition to climb the world’s highest waterfall, deep in the heart of the Venezuelan jungle. The team’s successful expedition, with climbing at the highest level, in an incredibly remote region of the planet, has been praised as ‘one of the finest achievements by British rock climbers on foreign soil’.

Angel Falls Expedition 2005

An obvious lure to extreme climbers, Angel Falls has attracted adventurous climbers for decades, but all previous attempts to free-climb the main wall of the World’s highest waterfall had met with failure. Situated in the heart of the Venezuelan jungle, this is not merely a story about an audacious rock climb on one of the Natural Wonders of the World, but the emotions and experiences encountered along the way.

Ben’s presentation covers the whole adventure, including the 6 day journey to their base camp, the amazing flora and fauna found in the unique Tepuis (the area that inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel ‘The Lost World’), as well as a look at ‘life on the edge’ – they spent 14 consecutive nights sleeping on portaledges suspended from the overhanging wall!

As well as illustrating a lust for adventurous travel, and a keen interest for the diverse cultures along the way, Ben focuses on the excitement and apprehension experienced, as well as the planning, preparation, teamwork, and determined approach that were required to succeed on such a demanding climb.

Together, the story, stunning photography, insightful video clips and, above all, Ben’s enthusiastic delivery, the presentation is sure to captivate any audience. It demonstrates that, with hard work, focus and planning, positive thinking and a determination to succeed, any goal is attainable, encouraging others to live their own lives to their potential.

1. Your speech provided a great insight into your amazing exploits. You are an inspirational figure and an admirable example of what can be attained by extending the limits of personal motivation and challenge. We thoroughly enjoyed having you in store and have received many examples of positive feedback.
 Sheffield,

2. Thank you for a wonderful, inspirational talk! Not only did you model to the students a fluently organised presentation, you opened their eyes to possibilities and opportunities and reminded them of the value of independence, challenge, confidence and personal growth – things which are so important to them as they stand on the brink of the world of higher education or work. Your enthusiasm was infectious, and I hope that you will bring your marvellous photos and anecdotes to us again later in the academic year.
 William Morris Sixth Form,

3. Ben is possibly almost as good a speaker as he is a climber. He has exactly the right manner to inspire young people – gentle, funny yet quietly authoritative. His description of his ascent of Angel Falls is truly astonishing and at times the photos of his trip leave you feeling decidedly queasy! I would recommend him to anyone – he is superb. Book him and see – you won’t regret it!
 St Edmunds College – Herts,