Back in the 70s, when health and safety wasn't a thing...

[jimharri]

The overhang got me.

As the actress said to the bishop!

 

[Tourist since 1971]

That was truly staggering. I feel sick watching it. What were they thinking? That fucking overhang, without any safety line attached. And also when he went to top. I need a drink........ A proper one, not like the dandelion and burdock I had the first time I saw it.

 

[Stoned Rose]

I remember this at the time. And it still scares the shit out of me. John Noakes. What a man. Apparently, the sound wasn't working properly on the first take, so they had to do it again. And then there's the bloody cameraman. Jesus Christ

Bet his arse was flapping like a Utd fan on derby day.

 

[Mad Eyed Screamer]

Only way to rescue in those days was an helicopter snatch rescue as no cherry picker big enough back then. And they were not trained in any rescue procedures either. I've done about 16/17 annual working at height rescue courses which involves assisted rescue and snatch rescue with first aid.

So many(nowadays mandatory) health and safety issues breached it would give an HSE inspector a field day, they'd be sacked on the spot!

No PPE(personal protective equipment)harness, steel toecap boots, safety helmet, gloves, no eye protection and respiratory mask for dealing with harmful Guano deposits (bird shit) No risk assessment, method statement no 6 monthly PPE tools rope and ladder inspection . Just a balls of steel "you'll be alright" attitude lol. Working out of a bosuns chair with just the friction of(what appears to be) a rolling hitch knot had me shuddering, plus those old fashioned cotton/hemp twine ropes were chaffing on the stonework edge.

I've worked a lot higher than that but with correct PPE and training and it gave me confidence to work safely. I wouldn't like to have done what John Noakes and the rest did as you're a long time dead, as they say.

Yes because had he fell, his hard hat. Hi viz vest and steel toe caps would have saved him ;)

 

[Two Gun Bob]

OK I have a recommendation concerning a program we watched last night. John Noakes was obviously the second coming of TV presenters and not many over the following decades have been able to tread in his footsteps. Everything the lad touched turned to gold and he even made a sheepdog that had no discernible talent countrywide famous. It just walked around the studio and sat by his feet but now to this very day is on the lips of most of our nation. Get down Shep !

Anyway I digress so what is the recommendation then. Well if you got giddy as fook over John climbing that tower then this may not be for you as at the end of the documentary we had to f.f the climb in places as I was getting nauseous. Beautiful backdrops and stunning surroundings and a program that kept you fastidiously tuned and on the edge of your seat to programs end.

Alex Honnald is a quite unassuming character but a character all the same who preps and prepares for his dramatic accent free climbing El Capitan and no one has done it before or shall we say got to the top in one piece. It's entertaining as it shows the lad in a real light and goes back through his childhood and schooldays and his new romance that keeps him in check. He fell out with her for a little while because she was rope climbing with him and she was his anchor and let his safety rope go through her abseil clamp and he fell a good distance smashing his vertebrae.

Here is a small clip but the National Geographic documentary is must watch.Its on channel 4 catch up.

 

[bluethrunthru]

I always loved this one - " its going its going" - parp's an ancient car horn as a so called warning then stands 10 ft away from the fucker and nearly drops it on himself - then concludes with " I had every confidence in that one " ha ha ha - dear old Fred