Mr James Richard Keith Allen OM 1990
Last updated: 2008
James Allen has been the youngest westerner to scale Mount Everest and Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year. In 1995 Allen and two other climbers scaled the dangerous North Face of Mount Everest, known as the "Death Face". In his group was George Mallory, grandson and namesake of the British mountaineer who died on the first attempt to reach Everest's summit in 1924.
Allen continued his ascent of the mountain despite suffering serious frostbite in two of his fingers. At just 22 years of age, he became the youngest westerner to reach the summit. He was recognised for his achievement as the Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year in 1995.
Allen now recounts his adventures as a public speaker to motivate others to achieve their goals. In 2007 he filmed the Dyno World Records at the 2007 NEC Outdoors Show for the production company Posing Productions.
Melbourne Grammar School marked its sesquicentenary in 2008. As part of the celebrations, a Talents Committed Exhibition was staged. This exhibition recognised 150 Old Melburnians who have made a difference to the City of Melbourne, the State of Victoria and the wider community in Australia and overseas.
The above profile was included in the Talents Committed Exhibition in 2008.