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It is with sadness that we report the death of Jim Curran on 5th April, following a long illness. Many will know Jim was a freelance mountain cameraman, writer and artist. He joined the Club in 1985 and exhibited some of his paintings at the AC London Clubhouse in 2004.

Alan Rouse, Dave Wilkinson, Brian Hall, Jim Curran and Al Burgess, K2 Expedition, 1986

Tributes  

#4 Harish B Kapadia 2016-04-24 17:46
Jim Curran

In death of Jim Curran many of us in Mumbai and India have lost a good friend. He had visited India on few occasions but at least twice stayed long enough to be friends with many. His movies, lectures and books, specially on K2, added to his charisma. Though this is a sad occasion, Jim’s precious light moments comes to my mind.
I had been on two mountaineering expeditions with Jim and they were great fun. His observations and light comments were always apt. While walking on thin ledge on the legendary Hindustan - Tibet road in Kinnaur I pointed out the historic valley below. Instant came the reply: ‘I do not want to fall down to become history myself.’
In 1994 Jim volunteered to join us for a serious play in local language. No sooner the play started he promptly went to off to sleep in cool auditorium away from heat outside. His snoring disturbed the audience and we had to keep nudging him. Halfway through, , the play turned out to be so boring that most of the audience was listening to Jim’s rhythmic snores with envy!
I have his memories : while watching Test Match at the Lords and at cricket stadium in Mumbai, boat ride in the Arabian Sea and legendary eating spree at Indian food joints. Thanks to the Indian railway he had the honour of being called ‘Jaisingh” after great Rajput King. But that is another story, like many associated with Jim in India.
Mumbai and mountaineers in India will miss him. Geeta and I have lost a dear friend.
May his soul rest in mountains!
Harsh Kapadia

images/news/obits/curran2.jpg
Exhausted after attempt of Rangrik Rang in Kinnaur

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Our happy Indian-British team in 1994
#3 Smiler Cuthbertson 2016-04-24 12:09
So sorry to hear of Jim’s death. Like hundreds of climbers, we all go back a long way with Jim. He will sadly be missed.
#2 Michael Smith 2016-04-22 17:17
Jim was most helpful in the mid 1980s following his Palomani Tranca traverse in Peru. I was planning a nearby ascent in the Apolobamba and he readily agreed to meet up in a Sheffield pub, talk over our plans and give us the benefit of his experiences in the range. He was encouraging and enthusiastic about the area's potential
#1 Frank Cannings 2016-04-18 21:06
I first met Jim in Bristol back in the mid 1970's. It was always good to meet up with him again at climbers gatherings over the years or more recently, as we've aged, at funerals of other climbers. His droll cynical humour always quickly cut right through those with over-inflated ego's without offending them, and he injected a wise perspective. He was entertaining and good company. My wife Gail, a non climber, adds that he always made her feel welcome too.

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