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Bonington: Mountaineer, Plus Intro and Q & A with Director Keith Partridge

At the age of 80, mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington stares toward the iconic stack of Orkney sandstone towering above an Atlantic surf. To climb the Old Man at this stage of life feels an almost crushing prospect.

Event Date

11 January 2025

Description

In search of catharsis once more he wonders if he can summon the strength...

He remembers being the first to set foot on the top of the Old Man of Hoy, 50 long years before when he had youth on his side. As recent events threaten to overwhelm him, he reflects on a life lived to the full, of family and of epic expeditions and first ascents on some of the world’s most challenging mountains.

Stories of friendship, love, risk, and devastating loss run deep through this intimate journey of one man’s dream. Bonington's drive for exploration is echoed in the first British ascent of the north wall of the Eiger, new routes on Mont Blanc, the ascent of ‘The Old Man of Hoy’ and then to the greater ranges where he is the first to stand on the virgin summits of Annapurna 2, Nuptse and the Central Tower of Paine, followed by landmark expedition success on the South Face of Annapurna and Everest South West face.

This film looks retrospectively, from his rock-climbing days in the UK through to visionary ascents on the high peaks of the Himalaya and shares the remarkable and poignant life of one of the world’s best-known mountaineers – Sir Chris Bonington.

4pm- 6pm.