THE CLIMBERS - Chris Bonington

Found this old TV video recording from 1992. A classic climb of the Grepon in tweeds, woollen socks and old boots, recreating the ascent by Alfred Mummery in 1881. There appears to be no video or DVD available anywhere of this program, so enjoy this little gem.

[@michaelgallagher3640]

19:25- As a young carpenter I was on a high roof peak pushig snow off a roof. I had a shovel in one hand and a hammer in the other. I slipped and slid almost off the roof but spun around and buried the claw of my hammer into the roof. It was a 2 story fall below & the adrenaline rush was Insane. Tools can be one hell of a life saver.😃

[@cgoble72]

Amazing video that gives a real sense of just how big a technical leap that climb was - and how committing it was.

[@ericastier1646]

That was amazing, more than the big expeditions i sweated every move in this video : foot position and hand searching for something to hold on to. Listening to Chris relaxed voice even though he was no doubt full of adrenaline as any good climber should be, i realized clearly why he had been the organizer of big teams. That moral and ability to be composed and reassuring, is impressive when your life is hanging on a rope and slipping could easily mean trauma and broken bones. Not to mention the lead climber, with a very long slack in the rope if he were to fall injury is certain. That's amazing act of courage and there is only one safe way which is up. Wow. I wonder how such man having these abilities perceive normal life, is that going to eliminate all stress of a common life in comparison ?

[@michaelgallagher3640]

Bonnington was about 58 here, what a tough S.O.B..

[@davidpeters3857]

Legendary human being

[@johnswimcat]

Brilliant video. Sheer human endeavour and guts. Bonnington speaks softly and nicely but he's really tough

[@silverliteway]

Oh the 90s when you could play a bit of synth music and make the audience ponder. You can tell Chris is really in to the history - he’s really wanting to live it

[@bambangsuseno8764]

In the Special Territory of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, there is also a fan of yours, Christian John Storey Bonington.

[@johnhenryoliver1]

Legend of a man, feel fortunate to have witnessed his acts of bravery and above all friendship

[@silverpyramid9251]

I am terrified of heights, I mean so terrified that I feel anxiety rising just watching these climbing vids. I about had to turn it off when he was changing his shoes at the end. None the less, I love it and can't look away, you all inspire me with your courage and athleticism.

[@taratiwadi1532]

Drinking on top was a pleasure to watch.

[@Mo-gq6fn]

Amazing, thanks for sharing

[@jonmassey]

Had this on video years ago. Not seen it for years. Thanks for sharing.

[@sergeantcrow]

The wonderful act of VHS recording... and thank you David for sharing

[@davidearl2038]

You`re welcome! Thanks!

[@peterhughes8934]

Thanks so much for posting this David. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@scottinnh88]

Wow I’ve searching for a new Everest video that was made before the 90s for like an hour thankfullyi found this not about Everest but a great history lesson indeed.

[@GLK-London]

Wonderful! Thank you for sharing this. Remarkable and such a pity the series is not available.

[@madhatter909]

they r all over youtube

[@lockedaveram3479]

@@madhatter909 where are they available?

[@madhatter909]

@@lockedaveram3479 go to youtube and type it in

[@musicstewart9744]

One wonders how cold it feels for Sir Bonington to describe it as bitterly cold.

[@aeromodeller1]

They still have the hard part, getting back down. And I'm thinking - photographer.

[@svessien]

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing!

[@bryanmiller6110]

Thank you! For posting

[@davidhwhewell376]

Utter respect for the old timers - fitter specimens - many a wall trained youth would gibber on this

[@rayysantuy8092]

Credit to Superman who fly to take a video of all climbers.

[@taratiwadi1532]

Nanga parbat was a wrong choice in that era... Because of lack of resources... Great respect for such couragious men who were true climbers.

[@rocnoir4233]

Great upload haven't seen this in a long time. If only people still did things like this!

[@KB-tc5sd]

A gem indeed!

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

Cheers to the BBC. We never got this kind of stuff in the States.

[@3vimages471]

How come the lead climber on the Grepon had a rope hanging above him?

[@2WiseOwl]

Dunno how in the hell Sir Chris made it up all those tall mountains, seeing as how he had to lug along his pair of brass bowling ball-sized cojones . . . ??

[@jaakops3584]

climbing mountains with latest equipment is very tidious task by itself let alone climb wearing coats and leather boots.these people had huge balls

[@johnandrews3547]

when did they invent gloves

[@warshipsatin8764]

2005 i think

[@endokrin7897]

​@@warshipsatin87642005 was full-fingered gloves. 12 years earlier, they had created finger-less gloves. It just took a while to create the technology to sew the fingers in gloves. No one could figure it out.

[@john-nx4xn]

I literally could not think of worse things to wear climbing.😮