In their centenary year, the Wayfarers are committed to climb every Kirkus route in the land. Not to be left out, Wayfarers centenary President, Dennis Davis, was determined to do his bit. Dennis is now aged 80 years and, in his day, was one of the most forminable Himalayan climbers in the world. Way ahead of his time, he was a pioneer of the small expedition. With a single sherpa, he made the first ascent of Nupse in 1962 (having driven overland from Liverpool to Kathmandu in a Hillman Humber). In 1957, with sir Charles Evans and only four sherpas, he made a very bold attempt on Annapurna II.
But today, Dennis made his contribution on Kirkus’ Route, Clogwyn yr Oen, Moelwyns. Here you see a nice picture of Dennis at top of the origional Kirkus chimney pitch. Other participants were Terry, verteran (multi club) George Bintley and Tuesday activist, Bernie Prescott.
Fantastic – and what a great pciture! 🙂
Excellent – glad to see it was done in traditional style, tho’ I think a hemp rope would have looked even better.
Yeah, well, we used the hemp rope towing the car back from Kathmandu to Liverpool in 1962!! You can’t see it in the piccie but Dennis is wearing a Whillans harness with bowline.
Well done Dennis. Brilliant! You certainly don’t look 80.
Absolutely brilliant!
Wondering what the secret of staying that fit is?
Probably by not having me as his Doctor!!!!
Heartiest congrats to Dennis. My guess is he’s been able to do it by keeping active all his life but he’s also been very lucky with his health- those extra ten years or so (past the ‘normal span’) do take their toll, as I well know. Loved the pixie hat!
Awesome!!!!!!
just add it to your list of achievments.
There’s definitely no holding my old man down!
Congratulations Dennis. Proves that life does begin at 80. The great thing about our sport is that there is no age barrier, only a mental one, which you obviously do not have.
Nice one, Dad. Keep it up!
A pleasure and a privilege to to accompany a great man on a fine route.
p.s. Dennis wasn’t the only one using a Bowline, these figure of eights will never catch on! also Moacs were put to good use, traditional or what?
Super picture. Keep going, Dennis. Hope all your grand children are inspired by this.
Excellent, Dennis.
But was Terry the youngster of the party. Ropeboy? Did he have to make the tea?
And just so no youngsters get complacent, another of the Kirkus Route party, George Bintley (seventy some), lead the Wayfarers annual night walk last Friday. RLH to Scafell Pikes, via Bowfell, Great End etc and back. 18 miles. In the mist. In the dark.
We Wayfarers have long been used to being put in our place by the legendary strength and stamina of Dennis Davis but going climbing in pyjamas and nightcap (surely that is what the piccie shows) is taking oneupmanship a little too far. But congrats anyway, DD, you are a star.
RIP Dennis, who passed away on Thursday in Macclesfield Hospital.
Yeah, we heard that sad news from Terry a few days ago. 🙁