The 9th Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival has arrived again. I know this because the G-Force informed me about the event having read it on a poster while climbing (again!). I know this because the G-Force’s climbing partner Clare emailed me to see if we fancied a night out out at the EMFF on Saturday. And now I know it because a friendly outdoors PR sent me the press release and asked me for a we plug on my site. So… I reckon someone wants me to give this weekend a bit of promotion, and it does look pretty special.

This year’s EMFF, from Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 October 2011, is a packed programme of mountain films, lectures and exhibitions that look likely to inspire, enlighten and entertain the capital’s annual gathering of the adventure sports, photography and filmmaking communities, as well as those who love the outdoors, travel and mountain adventure.

Some of the highlights at the EMFF 2011, which are held at the George Square Lecture Theatre at Edinburgh University, with extra events being staged at at Edinburgh International Climbing Arena ( EICA), Ratho, include:

*     Catherine Destivelle – ‘From Boulders to Mountain Tops’. Climbing legend Destivelle, whose epic climbing career was the subject of the remarkable film ‘Beyond the Summits’, has made her name making remarkable solo ascents on every continent. Her inspirational talk will be a fitting climax to the festival.

*     Karina Hollekim – ‘Fighting Back’.  Having miraculously survived a horrific sky diving accident, when her parachute failed to open and she hit the ground at over 100kph, BASE-jumper and extreme skier Hollekim will talk about her career, her accident and the long road to recovery.

*     Johnny Dawes – ‘The Stone Monkey: Full of Myself’. A rare treat to hear Dawes reflecting on his ground-breaking and cult climbs around the world, using his infamous brand of metaphor and humour.

*     Alastair Humphreys – ‘Round the World by Bike: 60 countries. 5 Continents. 4 years. 46,000 Miles’.  In September 2001, Alastair Humphreys set off on his round the world trip. Within days, he had to completely change his planned route after the attacks on New York.  Humphreys will share some incredible stories from the journey which Sir Ranulph Feinnes described as ‘The first great adventure of the 21st Century.

*     Lukasz Warzecha – ‘The Life of a Pro’. For a different point of view the bright new star of outdoor adventure photography illustrates his fascinating tales of life as a climbing photographer with spectacular images and films.

*     Andy Turner – ‘Living for Winter’. Best known for pushing the limits of on-sight Scottish winter climbing, Turner will reflect on the epic winters of recent years and look ahead to his plans for the coming months.

The EMFF will also host a number of great adventure films, including:

*     Hamish’s Kayaking Films – The story of how Glaswegians Hamish and Anne Gow made the first sea kayak crossing to St Kilda in 1965.

*      Running Wild – The incredible story of Scottish ultra-runner, Fiona Rennie, who suffered a brain haemorrage recently but is now back running in the mountains.

*      The Pinnacle – This feature length film documents the remarkable climbing career of Edinburgh climber Jimmy Marshall, who mentored the likes of Dougal Haston and Robin Smith. The interviews with Marshall, now in his 80s, offer a privileged insight to the golden age of climbing in Scotland.

*      Speleoski – For those looking for some extreme antics Speleoski features a Scottish skier in the Alps who abseils 60m into an underground cave to go skiing in the dark, underground!

Tickets, which range from £5-£12, are on sale now at EMFF. More details of the line up.