FINAL preparations are under way in South Lakeland for the biggest outdoor adventure event of its type in the world.

For the 15th year, the Kendal Mountain Festival will play host to thousands of visitors from near and far between November 20-23.

There will be hundreds of film screenings, including high-profile premieres, plus over 40 speakers and special guests making this a must-do long weekend in the Lake District.

One of the key guests will be Ueli Steck - known as ‘The Swiss Machine’ - who comes to Kendal fresh from his latest exploits. Last year the man who holds the speed record for the North Face of the Eiger (2hrs 47min) focused on the high peaks of the Himalayas, soloing the South Face of Annapurna in an astonishing 28 hours.

His staggering tick-list includes everything from El Capitan free climbs and 5.13 solos, to 8,000m peaks and bold solos and speed records in the Alps and the Canadian Rockies – this is a chance to hear the finest Alpinist of his generation talk about his experiences.

Other adventurers featured include Dave Cornthwaite, author and film-maker, who has skateboarded across Australia and paddle-boarded the Mississippi; Hazel Findlay, the first British woman to crack a F8c climb with a recent ascent of Fish Eye at Oliana, Spain; and Josh Bryceland, the current Downhill World Cup overall mountain bike champion.

Kendal Mountain Festival is an internationally renowned event, attracting film premieres from around the globe. Film-makers, TV producers, adventurers, climbers and world-class lecturers gather to take part in four packed days covering all aspects of mountain and adventure sports culture.

At the heart of Kendal’s programme is the mountain film competition, attracting film premières from around the world. Over 50 films are screened (from 200+ entries) with 11 coveted prizes up for grabs.

But it is not all extreme action - films genres include culture, drama, wildlife and environmental documentaries, plus a huge lecture programme. Other highlights include art exhibitions, literature events, including the coveted Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature and the highly respected 'Adventure Film Academy' for aspiring film-makers.

Richard Greenwood, Cumbria Tourism’s operations manager, said: ‘’Kendal has an enviable reputation for the creative and the contemporary, and KMF is shining example of that. We are all looking forward to seeing the town become a world centre for adventure sports for the 15th straight year – the UK’s Adventure Capital. There is no doubt that events of this calibre put the Lake District; Cumbria, firmly on the world stage and visitors from near and far can expect a warm welcome in what promises to be the best Kendal Mountain Festival yet.’’

For more info about what’s on and when visit: www.mountainfest.co.uk