Young man in record books for Old Man climb
A Boy Scout from Somerset has this week become the youngest ever person to scale the world famous Old Man of Hoy.
Oliver Buckle, who lives in Flax Bourton, completed the E1, ‘extremely severe’ grade climb on Thursday, just days before his 11th birthday.
It means he’s beaten the record of becoming the youngest ever person ever to ascend the 449 feet (137m) sandstone stack, previously held by renowned British climber Leo Houlding, who climbed the stack in 1996.
The climb means that Oliver has also joined the ranks of climbing legends including Sir Chris Bonington who first climbed the stack back in 1966.
Commenting on his climb Oliver said: “It was simply amazing. The weather was on our side so we just went for it. There were some very tricky parts but we took it steady.
“It was such a privilege to stand on top of the Old Man of Hoy and is something I’ll never forget. The added bonus is that I’ve become the youngest person to have made it to the top. Leo Houlding is a bit of a hero of mine so I hope he doesn’t mind me taking his record!”
Oliver was also raising money for charity water Aid. Donations can be made on his fundraising page: www.virginmoneygiving.com/OllieBuckle