Sir Chris conquers the Old Man at 80
At the age of 80, climbing legend Sir Chris Bonington yesterday successfully climbed the Old Man of Hoy.
Sir Chris was part of the first televised ascent back in 1967, and his climbing partner for this latest attempt, Leo Houlding, was the youngest to climb it when he was aged 11 back in 1991.
Speaking to The Orcadian this morning, Sir Chris and Mr Houlding said that the climb had gone well. The climb began around 11am, and they reached the top around 5pm.
When asked how he felt having completed the climb, Sir Chris said that he was both “very tired and very happy.”
Mr Houlding, who said that it had been a real honour to carry out the climb with Sir Chris, said that reaching the top had been an emotional moment.
He also said that as he took a bottle of champagne with him for the climb, the two enjoyed “a wee dram” at the summit.
BBC One Show presenter Andy Torbett also completed the climb as the event was being recorded for the show.