Jim Perrin

Jim Perrin in North Wales in 1984

Jim Perrin (born 30 March 1947) is an English rock climber and travel writer. Born Ernest James Perrin in Manchester, England, he now lives on the Welsh borders from where he contributes to the Guardian Country Diary as well as writing articles from his second home in Ariège. As a writer, he has made regular contributions to a number of newspapers and climbing magazines. As a climber, he has developed new routes, as well as making solo ascents of a number of established routes.

He has won the Boardman Tasker prize twice, first for Menlove (1985), his biography of John Menlove Edwards, and again as a joint winner (alongside Andy Cave's 'Learning to Breathe) for The Villain (2005), a biography of Don Whillans.

For many years he has contributed mountaineering obituaries for The Guardian (for example, contributing on Brede Arkless).

He has six children by six different partners. His eldest son Will, a talented and well respected climber, died aged 24.

Bibliography

Below is a partial list of books by Perrin listed by Amazon as in print (on 21/4/2006):

• Menlove: Life of John Menlove Edwards (1993), Ernest Press
• Spirits of Place (1997), Gomer Press
• Mirrors in the Cliffs (ed.) (1999), Bâton Wicks
• River Map (2001), Gomer Press
• Travels with the Flea: and other Eccentric Journeys (2003), In Pinn
• The Villain: The Life of Don Whillans (2005), Hutchinson
• Snowdon: Biography of a Mountain (2006), Gomer Press
• The Climbing Essays (2006), In Pinn
• West: A Journey through the Landscapes of Loss (2010), Atlantic Books

The following are out of print:

• On and Off the Rocks (1986), Gollancz
• Yes, To Dance (1990), Oxford Illustrated Press