Sir Chris Bonington and the video of The Old Man of Hoy

"What getting to the top of the The Old Man of Hoy is showing me is that one can go on doing it... What does this mean to other people? I think the important thing , as you get old and certainly as you get into your 80's, is don't give up, just go for it. It's actaully making life as rich and as exciting as you possibly can that keeps you going, and gives you a hope for the great, latter part of your life."

These wise words come from Sir Chris Bonington who, for his 80th birthday present, decided to climb the famous The Old Man of Hoy on the Orkney Islands together with Leo Houlding. Bonington had made the first ascent of the seastack in 1966 together with Rusty Baillie and Tom Patey and the route has come to symbolise the epitome of British trad climbing. Much like Bonnington himself. Very British!

01/09/2014 - Sir Chris Bonington climbs the Old Man of Hoy for 80th birthday