Haig Ian Malcolm

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Biografie:
lan Malcolm Haig 1941-1986
I first met lan Haig on an Easter weekend meet to Arran in 1969. We were both mountaineering novices-Ian was really an absolute beginner at this stage, although his knowledge from reading the" subject and eloquence would almost make one imagine he had experience already. He and I got on well together and we were soon planning a holiday in the Pennine Alps for the summer, lan's first season and my first as leader. This tour was a great success-the weather helped us-and about a dozen classic peaks were ascended by the ordinary routes. It was followed every summer by others in the same style, with various people.
lan was interested in politics and was already quite active in the Labour Party at this time. He had further ambitions and in 1974 he was the candidate for South Oxfordshire, Michael Heseltine's constituency. His deep commitment to socialism kindled my own interest, and political issues were a frequent topic for discussion between us.
lan had started his working career as a physics teacher, though when we first met I remember that he was· already considering a new challenge. When he asked me what I thought, I encouraged him to go ahead. Shortly after this he became the first executive secretary of the World Development Movement, a pressure group campaigning for equitable development of the third world. Under lan's leadership this group came to play a significant role in bringing this fundamental issue ~ore to the fore in the public consciousness. From 1975 onwards he worked for the Commission for Racial Equality-first at Redbridge, then at Hackney in the East End. To most people, working in one of the poorest parts of London with racial minorities under constant threat of attack would probably seem soul-destroying. However, lan enjoyed this challenge, at least most of the time, and devoted almost all his resources to it. His life often seemed chaotic, with very little time spent on ordinary personal affairs.
There was one great exception to his intense work activities. Each summer a full month or longer was spent in the mountains. Since 1979 this would be trekking in the Himalaya, including some quite ambitious treks. The two of us went together to Garhwal in 1979, but not since then. lan came to love these mountains and, if he couldn't find people to go with, he would go alone with a local guide. The main thing was to go. His last journey in August 1986 to the Karakoram was such an expedition, in which he aimed to cross the Khurdopin co!' It ended tragically on the descent after crossing the col-a slip combined with illness disorientated the tiny party. lan remained in his tent hoping to be rescued, but an avalanche killed him nine days later on the same spot.
Paul Krebs
Quelle: Alpine Journal Volume 92, 1987, Seite 306-307



Geboren am:
1941
Gestorben am:
1986