Classic Rock was my 1978 Christmas present . I still have , still treasure it. Wilson had a gift for firing ambition and plans for the ordinary mountaineer . A valuable populariser of the sport during a golden age for British climbing.
Outstanding evocation ofan era and captures the essence of the man. I grew up camping and climbing in Ogwen , stopping at Scotty Dwyer's bunkhouse. Dad looked after Ken at the World Jamboree in 1957, and Ken never forgot and signed copies of all his books for him. The routes covered here still radiate a sense of adventure. He held and expressed strong and often controversial views on many issues but was always worth listening to. Great film.
I started climbing in the late 70's and bought Hard Rock right away. I did a few of the routes and dreamed of doing others, happy, carefree times. I've not climbed for a good few years now and I'm out of touch with the scene apart from watching the odd thing on RU-vid. That's why I've only just heard, because of this film on RU-vid (April '19), that Ken had sadly passed away. Thanks for the lovely film guys, and enjoy those sunlit uplands Ken.
What a glorious film - thank you so much to all those involved. I have heard a lot about Ken Wilson over the years but never came across him myself. He seemed a marmite character, with many describing him as unbalanced and difficult. May be so but what I saw on the film was a highly intelligent, thoughtful, humble, eloquent individual who had a wonderful passion for climbing and spent his life helping to nurture that passion in others. I am sorry that I will never get to meet him. RIP Ken.
Great film. I don't think the books will ever be chip paper. Hard Rock in particular was a collection of mostly excellent articles about climbs a middle grade climber could aspire to, and the few I did lived up to expectations.
I just emailed this link to me twin brother. Never forget Ken taking a photo of us with Rab at some outside party put on be Outside climbing shop in hathersage. Ken probably thought he had a photo of the three of us, last one taken. He lived for the people of climbing.
Wish people would wear helmets properly not exposing the forehead. This woolly hat thing is almost as bad as youths wandering around with pants hanging down.
Enjoyed the film but I not at all happy about what appears to be “looking down” on climbing that isn’t extreme / traditional. I’m brand new to climbing. I’m scared of heights. I’m only at top roping level, but I can tell you that each of the three sessions I’ve had have been an “adventure” and I can’t wait to keep pushing my personal limits and smashing through this fear. I may be new to climbing but I’m not new to extreme sport. As an experienced windsurfer I sail in storms. I taken on unforgiving waves that crash down onto rocky reefs. I launch from sketchy locations and sail in different countries. What I don’t do is look at other sailors that only play on super safe, waveless lakes and judge them as not on an adventure simply because it’s not as extreme as the windsurfing I do. Sorry but I’ve found this guy to be condescending and derogatory. Great climber no doubt, gutted he’s got dementia, but can’t support this attitude. We are all here to adventure and this comes in many different forms and different degrees. Let just support and celebrate but never knock.
