Sir Chris Bonington at 80: life, death and at least 10 close scrapes

[@travelguy6259]

WTF. Sir Chris is 90 this year. I’ve met him twice. The first time whilst serving on the RAF Mountain Rescue Team and the second giving a lecture in Swindon. He has always been my inspiration. My only regret is not interviewing him for for Forces News. Happy Birthday Sir Chris

[@williebeamen2x]

I'm from the states nowhere special and I was sittin in my little home yesterday with my dog ,it was really cold out and I found a Everest documentary from the early 70s I believe and come to find out it was this guy. He's a legend an to think how he inspired me and put a smile on my face and a little different outlook on life, THANK YOU SIR!!! ❤

[@Al-ny8dk]

I am 51 and have been reading about Chris Bonnington most of my life. I now have sciatica and all sorts of joint problems and here he is talking about climbing till he's 90. There can be greater risks to a desk job than being a mountaineer in some ways. Wonderful man to listen to.

[@Docochoco39]

So very well said!

[@hendrikusdetuinman8360]

This guy is one of the very few living monuments this world has. I have a mountain of respect for him and his attitude in life and everything he achieved.

[@LaziUK]

A tip of my hat to you sir...you're a true British legend and an inspiration!

[@primus7776]

Sir Chris is a fine ambassador for British and International mountaineering. Very articulate spokesman and many exceptional achievements across many decades. Good to see him looking so great at 80. He has a fantastically supportive wife, which should always be acknowledged also.

[@cancon88]

Hes not as nice in real life apparently all or cumbrian mountaineering groups think hes a twat

[@rascalhusky8129]

Chris Bonnington is a great person, somebody to look up to. Great climber and a very inspirational person .

[@cullyx2913]

Totally agree

[@lennarthagen3638]

Why would you look up to this guy

[@rascalhusky8129]

@@lennarthagen3638 He was progressive in the climbing world and he survived. Many didn't ,he earned respect.

[@fatmanscoop8650]

I nearly burst into tears when the question of his wife came up. Jesus.

[@andrealeobons]

Thom Wilson-Parry I was not as strong as you I kinda did cry a bit.

[@fatmanscoop8650]

@Harry Eduardo nice one. Did you find messages from her other boyfriend?

[@carlavanooik]

I admire this man so much! He is sooo very respectfull and caring. I love every word he says!

[@warmaster-1]

A true gentleman and one if the best and safest climbers the world has ever known.

[@musicstewart9744]

During Coronavirus time I've watched him age from 1970 until 2014. Talking about his wife is the only time I've seen that depth of emotion from Sir Bonington.

[@humphreyaugustus2932]

This man is unstoppable! he looks 65 years old!

[@incidentalist]

He's amazing, but no he looks about 90.....

[@alf2892]

@@incidentalist 90? must be blind

[@troymoss4515]

Sir Bonnington! This man has inspired dozens of my adventures!! Imagine how many that is true for...

[@jipangoo]

Thoroughly charming individual

[@drphilgee6430]

I was enthralled by your Everest north face expedition....pity about the lost climbers...

[@guygraham8016]

For all his smazing personal journey the question of his life partner brought the emotion. A very fortunate life.

[@davidahugill99]

Well said Chris , you’re a true hero . All of life is an unknown quantity. I remember being on Great End in the early 70s , doing Central Gully in winter conditions, getting ready at the bottom when Doug Scott , Tut Braithwaite , et al rocked up and did a different route . My mate Sean O Hagan was given a pair of gaiters by DougScott , and May still have them somewhere! God Bless . DaveH

[@alanoffer]

What a wonderful thing to say about his wife , straight from the heart

[@jamesbailey5008]

Very humble and incredible shape

[@andrealeobons]

Amazing interview. Thank you!

[@fredscratchet1355]

What a brilliant man. Well done Sir Chris.

[@anneroberts3340]

One of my heroes. Recognise several of the books behind him including I think The Boys of Everest by Clint Willis which documents all the great climbs of the 1970s and 80s. Too much tragedy in them but so glad Chris came through. Good on yer, Chris.

[@Docochoco39]

Just think of the heartaches he was exposed to in the great 70’s and 80’s expeditions. It very well could have been one of his fellow climbing mates telling about his death while climbing. It sometimes comes down to who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. He mentioned luck which is so humbling.

[@carlhughes6459]

In my 60s now, grew up on this mans exploits he epitomised what this country once stood for, one of the greatest brits of the 20th century

[@MickeyMichaels348]

A mountaineering legend!

[@ANGELICHUMANANGEL]

Well done Chris I've been a Mountaineering fan for years !... Keep on going mate !!!😎😎😎

[@MerleLove-r1e]

I would of loved to meet Sir Chris, he was a great man.

[@ParttimePilgrim]

Chris you are such a class act! Now you are 85, you now are scaling your greatest ascent! Aging! You must be the oldest climber alive! Well Reinhold is older than you isnt he? He looks older than dirt. You look so goid, vibrant and articulate as usual. Bless you Chris.

[@lewistaylor2858]

Messier is 10 years younger

[@Mike20216]

So much respect for this gentleman

[@alison__16]

I cried with him when he talked about his wife 😢

[@1969tonksy]

A true legend indeed.. love this guy

[@tonycurtis4088]

Jesus. R.i.p wendy. I felt that. Respect Sir Chris. A true pioneer and gentle man.

[@CryptoBoon]

What a inspirational chap Sir Chris is... Carpe Diem Sir 🇬🇧👍🏻

[@Karl_with_a_K]

What a legend this man is, I never knew his grandfather lived in Dublin and he climbed the Wicklow mountains in his youth. I am just back from bringing my 9yo Son up Croghan Mt a mighty 606m ;)

[@crabsrice5600]

God bless u .. what a great man . Your wife seemed like a great lady

[@MonteCarloGaz]

Simply a Legend !!

[@vivekraychowdhury4348]

My source of inspiration.

[@willyD200]

Well, this was posted nine yrs. ago when Chris Bonnington was 80 yrs.aged. I wonder how he is now a year away from 90 ? He certainly has had a full and interesting life, hopefully he contunues too in the years to come.

[@waynediffin7225]

Don whilans is an unsung legend.

[@donuttime2507]

In climbing circles he's not unsung...Possibly the best climber we've ever produced! ☺

[@Totalavulsion]

A true legend

[@pleatedskirt18]

There is one thing I have seen about Sir Chris that 'saddens' me a little. It was on the Julia Bradbury TV prog and she met and walked with him. He is so focussed on where he is walking to that he doesn't see what is around him. He has seen so much but must have missed even more. I admire him and what he has achieved so much, but I feel that it is tinged with the slightest bit of sadness knowing that he has [possibly] missed so much. Chris, you are a true inspiration to us all. Thank you for your wonderful life.

[@pleatedskirt18]

@Iain McKenzie Guitar I hope with all my soul that you are right. A wonderful man and a true inspiration to countless outdoor enthusiasts.

[@thetypetwolife3602]

Ummmm what?? Legendary unclimbed routes on Legendary mountains, countless Legendary Summits and trails that would end most men and your worried about what he missed? The focus you saw was probably just age and if not age than that focus forward was a trait prime contributor to his Legendary Life.

[@pleatedskirt18]

@@thetypetwolife3602 Nope! On his own admission he is so focussed on where he is going he NEVER sees what is around him. He has missed so much of what he could have seen, Yes, he has been to places and has done things few others have or will, but he admitted he has missed seeing what is around. Even on his native Lakeland fells he only see what is around him and hot at the side or in the distance.

[@thetypetwolife3602]

@@pleatedskirt18 Well all greatness has a price, the otherside of the pendulum... His concentration on the present and immediate environment had to have been a prime trait in his successes. Id rather celebrate his remarkable achievements.

[@pleatedskirt18]

@@thetypetwolife3602 Believe me, I do have the greatest respect for Sir Chris - one of the only knights that deserve their 'sirness' - and his lifetime's achievements can only be marvelled at. If I go to my grave having done a fraction of what he has I will consider it a life well spent. A truly remarkable man who should be an inspiration to us all.

[@Judymotto742]

Love Chris ❤

[@shughy1]

I never knew his grandad was Irish or that he trained in Wicklow mountains south of Dublin, a place I have hiked in a lot over the years, wonderful to think we may have tread the same paths

[@travishaynes8319]

if I live to be 80 (im 40 now) I hope im half the man mr bonnington is

[@danial469]

im good with 1/10th

[@RealMadridFC4life]

Great, great man

[@davidredshaw448]

I seem to remember reading that Chris once said that the time when he really felt out of control was the Blashford Snell expedition to find the source of the Blue Nile, where they were fired on from the shore by hostile natives and where a member of the team was lost in the rapids.

[@waynediffin7225]

haha avalanched off Snowdon at 16 is an hilarious concept. scary but the way he says it makes you laugh

[@cynthiamarston2208]

But i adored Peter Boardman.

[@jazz185]

Top man..

[@rahulbose4323]

Oh your are brilliant through ot

[@guud]

All the best sir, amazing life of yours and other amazing friends we had honour to watch here on yt. Started at Wicklow? :)

[@travellingshoes5241]

Cool dude.

[@slainegwalchmai]

Doug Scott, 'nuff said.

[@MickeyMichaels348]

A leader among men

[@MountainsEchoes]

Brammah 1 6416 mtrs in Kibber valley sonder kishtwar is not even recorded by anyone from last 5 decades.I wish climbers should come for summit

[@frederickmagill9454]

As an arrogant young man many years ago I berated Chris Bonington, but if I could have climbed 1 percent of what he has climbed I would be a good mountaineer. Chris, yes a great mountaineer.

[@odinsmeadhorn196]

What a GEM!

[@goognamgoognw6637]

At some point as an expedition leader he had a reputation of bad luck because of the number of people who had died in his expeditions. But it is only the luck of the draw and given high stakes even the most rational people turn superstitious. What surprised me and that i didn't know about Sir Bonington is that his mother raised him. You would think a leader of men most certainly had a strong father role model. This brings hope to many young men without father or one that is not much of a father in his behavior and actions. It makes me wonder if in those cases, not having a father is better than a bad one. At least one can not be influenced negatively and inherit the bad behaviors of an absent father.

[@JJJJ-gl2uf]

There's no such thing as "luck" and everything that happens has a real world explanation. The reason most climbers die is just as was said in this video. Mistakes can be costly. Climbers that die, die because mistakes were made. Many times the mistakes were a result of other unforeseen circumstances, but still mistakes nonetheless.

[@listrahtes]

@@JJJJ-gl2uf you can say that in sports climbing, even in the alps its not true at all and in Himalaya its utter nonsense. You cant avoid an avalanche if it comes. You can plan to your best of knowledge but especially in the Himalaya weather can change in minutes to horrific conditions, rock can fall down out of nowhere...etc. At the level Bonnington but especially Haston, Scotte etc were its not about mistakes but having no accidents by chance. Look at Lama & Conrad Anker on their ascent to Lunaq Ri. Two of the best climbers ever to have graces climbing and Anker gets a heart attack at 6000m. He manages to survive but it was close.

[@waynediffin7225]

i hate how it cuts out when hes talking about otehr climbers.. bad editing people

[@frankcave123]

top man

[@mountainbloke40]

Love itinspired

[@tomgreene2282]

Love the way he says luck....climbing has hazards.

[@cebperry]

Has anyone ever written about the working class climbing revolution? Sounds like a really interesting story.

[@cullyx2913]

❤️

[@maxasaurus3008]

The one question I have to call BS is the pure luck bit, no way a person can become a Sir Bonnington on luck alone.

[@oldwarmonger8750]

All interviewers need to take notes from this guy....just let the person your interviewing talk dammit

[@gregmathews715]

High altitude climbing makes no sense to me. What if the mountains on this earth reached into outer space? I applaud climbing but we can excel in the lower environment where we can exist

[@Tsumami__]

Greg Mathews what does that question even mean? Lol outer space?

[@Theonionwithballs]

shut up

[@petehuskins]

Then I suggest you don't do it. You stick to the lower enviroment.

[@danieladshead9867]

You gotta do what ya gotta do ! Everyone has a choice 😀

[@jimgritty7064]

It is a really risky thing to do especially on mountains like K2, Annapurna, etc. People die there all the time. It is good to know and mitigate the risks.

[@turnbuckles1]

This guy thinks he’s Hillary....

[@jimgritty7064]

Nah.

[@roamwashington2230]

Better

[@lewistaylor2858]

@@roamwashington2230 far better

[@cullyx2913]

🤡