About Andy Fanshawe

Andy Fanshawe was born in Cheshire in 1963. He started rock climbing while at Wilmslow Grammar School, and led his first expedition, to the Ecuadorian Andes, as a geology student at Imperial College, London. Then, in a bold Himalayan debut in 1986, he led an expedition to make the first ever traverse of the twin summits of Chogolisa. This magnificent climb, accomplished with characteristic panache in a committing alpine style, was recorded in his book ‘Coming Through’, along with his subsequent first ascent of Menlungtse West. Among many fine alpine climbs, most memorable were winter ascents of the Croz Spur on the Grandes Jorasses and the Eiger North Face. Tragically, he died shortly before his twenty-ninth birthday in a fall from Eagle Ridge, Lochnagar.

The inspiration for the Trust comes more from who Andy was, rather than what he climbed. He had a limitless zest for life. And despite being one of the leading climbers of his generation, he loved introducing people to climbing and helping them improve. As National Officer with the British Mountaineering Council, as a writer and lecturer, he communicated his enthusiasm for the outdoors with enthusiasm and energy. His widow Caroline and a group of friends established the Trust so that Andy’s spirit should continue to be at work in the world.

The Andy Fanshawe Memorial Trust also acts as a memorial to Jane Thomas, who died in the Cairngorms in 1994.