0:00:00 > 0:00:00- 888
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- 888- - 888
0:00:07 > 0:00:09- 888
0:00:14 > 0:00:16- 888
0:00:21 > 0:00:23- 888
0:00:44 > 0:00:47- Often, when I travel - to Liverpool or Manchester...
0:00:48 > 0:00:51- ..I call by this area.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56- I always visit my parents' grave.
0:01:01 > 0:01:06- It's such a beautiful area, - despite having no high mountains.
0:01:06 > 0:01:07- I enjoy coming back.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31- I was born and raised - in Brynsaithmarchog...
0:01:31 > 0:01:35- ..on a farm called Yr Hen Gapel.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37- It was a relatively small farm.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42- My father was given the tenancy - by the council...
0:01:42 > 0:01:45- ..when he left the army - after World War I.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51- I had a very happy childhood, - but it was also hard.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54- I was the only boy in the family.
0:01:54 > 0:01:59- I had to work hard - to help my father on the farm.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01- We were always busy.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06- It wasn't a big farm, - so we couldn't employ a farmhand.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- I remember - when the cows were calving.
0:02:09 > 0:02:14- We had to stay up most of the night - to make sure the cows were OK.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18- I was desperate to go to bed.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22- It was a happy time...
0:02:22 > 0:02:27- ..but I envied my friends, - who had more spare time than me.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40- The house next door - to the school in Derwen...
0:02:40 > 0:02:43- ..was the home - of Dr Charles Evans's mother.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46- He was the Welsh mountaineer...
0:02:46 > 0:02:50- ..who almost became the first man - to conquer Everest.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55- Charles had been to the Himalayas - before the Everest Expedition.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58- He brought two Sherpas - home with him.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01- They visited the school...
0:03:01 > 0:03:07- ..and we were shocked to see - these two dark-skinned men...
0:03:07 > 0:03:11- ..with red ribbons - in their dark hair.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15- It was rather strange for us, - living in the countryside.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- During my early days on the farm...
0:03:26 > 0:03:29- ..the chapel - was the hub of the community.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- The Baptist chapel - in Pandy'r Capel.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34- I was baptized here.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38- Four other boys were baptized - on the same day.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01- I have so many memories - of this place.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05- This is where I was baptized, - under this floor.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- As a young boy, - I competed in eisteddfodau here.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- I'd walk down this aisle - to recite my Biblical verses.
0:04:21 > 0:04:26- For many years, I dreamt - about forgetting my verse.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31- In my dream, I'd be at the front - unable to utter a word.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35- I have so many memories - of this place.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39- It's gone forever now.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41- Very sad.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- When I was 14 years old, - in Ysgol Brynhyfryd...
0:04:54 > 0:04:56- ..my father became very ill.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- He was ill for many years.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- When I was 15...
0:05:02 > 0:05:05- ..I had to leave school...
0:05:06 > 0:05:08- ..to run the farm.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11- That's what I did, mostly on my own.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14- I had some help from neighbours.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18- My father died - when I was 18 years old.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24- After my father had been ill - for three years...
0:05:24 > 0:05:28- ..my mother started suffering - from a mental illness.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31- She was worried about the farm - and the animals.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36- Our family persuaded us - to move away from the farm.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45- After we left the farm, I worked - at Wern Ddu quarry near Gwyddelwern.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50- I learnt how to grind stone - with a mallet.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53- The work strengthened my muscles.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- I worked there - for less than a year.
0:06:00 > 0:06:07- As I'd left the farm, I was - called up to do national service.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- I had a keen interest - in parachuting at the time.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- I was hoping to join - the Parachute Regiment...
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- ..but I had broken my knee - in a motorbike accident.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- When I joined, - my knee was rather weak.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- I wasn't admitted - to the Parachute Regiment.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- I ended up - joining the military police.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- I was a policeman for two years.
0:06:34 > 0:06:39- When I left the army, I didn't know - what I wanted to do with my life.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44- I'd already left the quarry - to work in a factory in Flint.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49- I worked every weekend - with three days off during the week.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54- One of my co-workers - was a man named Gordon Reece.
0:06:54 > 0:06:59- On our days off, - we'd go walking in Snowdonia.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- I enjoyed walking - in the mountains...
0:07:02 > 0:07:06- ..and I saw people - climbing the crags with ropes.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- I decided that I wanted to try it...
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- ..but I didn't know anyone - who climbed.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16- There was a climbing centre - near Llyn Ogwen.
0:07:17 > 0:07:22- I enrolled on a three-day course - to learn how to use the ropes.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25- That changed the course of my life.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- Often, when I travel - to Liverpool or Manchester...
0:07:42 > 0:07:46- ..I visit my parents' grave - in Pandy'r Capel.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50- I ask Bobby Peacock, - who lives in Yr Hen Gapel...
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- ..if I can walk the old fields.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- I love walking along the old paths.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00- The fond memories - come flooding back.
0:08:39 > 0:08:44- Llanberis Pass has played - an important part in my life...
0:08:44 > 0:08:46- ..over the past 50 years.
0:08:46 > 0:08:51- I've been climbing these crags - for many years.
0:08:51 > 0:08:56- Crags such as Dinas Mot, - Cyrn Las and Carreg Wastad.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- This is my favourite crag, - Dinas y Gromlech.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- This is where I led - the first climb with a rope.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07- I returned to do the same climb - without a rope.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13- Some years later, - on a crag called Cemetery Gates...
0:09:13 > 0:09:19- ..I appeared on a TV programme which - was broadcast in Welsh and English.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24- It was the first live programme - to be broadcast in both languages.
0:09:24 > 0:09:29- This crag was first climbed - by Joe Brown in 1951.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34- I don't think Joe Brown - would attempt what Eric's doing now.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- Precisely. It's very dangerous.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- My friend, Gordon Reece, - worked with me.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45- We both dedicated our lives - to climbing.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- Every night, when we worked - in the factory, and on weekends...
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- ..we talked about climbing...
0:09:53 > 0:09:57- ..and read all kinds - of climbing books and magazines.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59- This went on for around two years.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04- Both of us gained experience - and attempted more difficult climbs.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- Then something came between us!
0:10:09 > 0:10:13- Gordon found a girlfriend - in Llanberis...
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- ..and his interest - in climbing waned.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19- We'd come up here on our days off.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24- We rented a wooden shack - at the bottom of the Pass.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- I ended up coming here on my own - while Gordon was down in Llanberis.
0:10:30 > 0:10:35- I decided to attempt one - of the climbs I'd done before...
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- ..a relatively easy one, on my own.
0:10:38 > 0:10:43- I soon realized that I enjoyed - this form of climbing.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- It was far easier - than climbing with a rope.
0:10:48 > 0:10:53- Some of the other climbers - watched me climbing without a rope.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55- They thought I was insane.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- For them, - it was a dangerous thing to attempt.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02- The slightest mistake - could prove fatal.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- That started playing on my mind...
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- ..but I had confidence - in my ability.
0:11:09 > 0:11:16- I continued to climb on my own - and within a couple of years...
0:11:16 > 0:11:21- ..I was attempting - the most difficult climbs on my own.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- In 1970, I was filming - on the north face of the Eiger.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34- I'd been climbing successfully - for six days.
0:11:35 > 0:11:40- I returned to find - that Gordon was in hospital.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46- He had lung cancer.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48- I couldn't believe it.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53- He was only 32 years old - and looked a picture of health.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57- He didn't appear to have - any problems at all.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02- I went to visit him in hospital - and he looked quite healthy.
0:12:02 > 0:12:08- I spoke to his wife, - who said that there was no hope.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- He died when he was 32 years old.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15- His young son had been born - a few weeks earlier.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- This had a lasting effect on me.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- I decided that there were - no guarantees in life.
0:12:25 > 0:12:30- I decided to live every day - as if it were my last.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33- Who knows when it would end?
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- On my tours and climbs - over the years...
0:12:42 > 0:12:46- ..I've worn a helmet emblazoned - with Cymru and a red dragon.
0:12:47 > 0:12:52- Other climbers would enquire - about Cymru and the dragon.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- I'd tell them that Cymru - was Welsh for Wales.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59- I'm proud of the fact - that I am a Welshman.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- Being a Welshman, - and living in Wales...
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- ..has been an important part - of my life.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- Wherever I've visited - around the world...
0:13:09 > 0:13:11- ..I'm always glad - to return to Wales.
0:13:11 > 0:13:17- I was never a great climber - in the Himalayas or in Patagonia.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20- After about three or four weeks...
0:13:20 > 0:13:23- ..I always wanted - to come home to Wales.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25- My heart is here.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- This is where I'll be - for the rest of my days.
0:13:30 > 0:13:30- .
0:13:34 > 0:13:34- 888
0:13:34 > 0:13:36- 888- - 888
0:14:14 > 0:14:16- The Eiger is a special mountain.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- It's not the highest peak - in the Alps...
0:14:20 > 0:14:25- ..but the north face - is the highest crag in the Alps.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31- It's 6,000ft high from its base.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35- It consists of rock and hard ice. - Some of the rocks are loose.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- It's a dangerous climb.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41- Over the years, - there have been many accidents here.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- Many climbers - have been killed on the mountain.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- Climbers started coming here - in the 1930s.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55- They were mostly German.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- About half a dozen were killed...
0:14:59 > 0:15:02- ..before the first climber - reached the summit.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- I've been visiting Grindelwald...
0:15:15 > 0:15:17- ..for the past 40 years...
0:15:17 > 0:15:21- ..to climb, ski, paraglide - and go mountain biking.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27- My connection with the north face - began in 1970...
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- ..when I came here - with three friends...
0:15:30 > 0:15:34- ..to try and climb the north face - and film the ascent.
0:15:35 > 0:15:41- It took us six days to reach - the summit in September 1970.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43- Six days of hard climbing.
0:15:43 > 0:15:48- We were fortunate to have favourable - conditions over the six days.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52- We didn't eat a thing - on the final two days.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- When we returned - to Kleine Scheidegg...
0:15:55 > 0:15:57- ..we were shattered.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03- He's a great climbing partner - and a very safe climber.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- It's a pleasure - watching him on the crag.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09- He virtually slides up - the rock face.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14- You have to watch carefully to see - how he does some of the moves...
0:16:14 > 0:16:16- ..if you want to do it - as well as him.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21- Sometimes, if he - encounters difficulties...
0:16:21 > 0:16:27- ..he's sensible enough to return - to the base and try again later.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30- Sometimes, he asks me - if I want to give it a go.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- On the other hand, - he can be very determined.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39- When we were climbing the Old Man - of Hoy in poor weather conditions...
0:16:40 > 0:16:44- ..I soon realized we would be on it - until we'd reached the summit.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10- Once I'd climbed the Eiger - with my friends in 1970...
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- ..I did many solo climbs - during the following years...
0:17:15 > 0:17:17- ..in the Alps - and back home in Britain.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19- By the mid 1970s...
0:17:19 > 0:17:23- ..I felt experienced enough - and confident enough...
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- ..to climb - the Eiger's north face alone.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32- At the time, I worked in an American - climbing centre in Zermatt.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36- Every summer, - when the courses were over...
0:17:36 > 0:17:43- ..I'd travel to Grindelwald hoping - for good weather to climb the Eiger.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47- I had to wait four years - for that to happen
0:17:47 > 0:17:53- In 1980, I climbed the north face - in 18 hours.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03- When I decided to climb - the Eiger's north face alone...
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- ..my friend, - the film-maker Leo Dickinson...
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- ..wanted to film the climb.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21- On the first day, I set off - at one o'clock in the afternoon.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- I climbed up here, across - the Hinterstoisser Traverse...
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- ..to the Swallow's Nest Bivouac.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30- I spent my first night there.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35- Early the next morning, I continued - up the first ice field...
0:18:35 > 0:18:39- ..towards the second ice field...
0:18:39 > 0:18:44- ..across 1,000ft of ice field - to the Death Bivouac...
0:18:45 > 0:18:48- ..where the first men - who attempted the climb died.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53- From there, - across the third ice field...
0:18:53 > 0:18:56- ..and a 1,000ft ascent - across the Rampe.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59- This is where I spent - the second bivouac.
0:18:59 > 0:19:04- On the third morning, I crossed - the Traverse of the Gods...
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- ..into the White Spider...
0:19:07 > 0:19:12- ..up the Exit Cracks, the Mittellegi - Ridge and on to the summit.
0:19:15 > 0:19:20- As I approached the summit, - I decided to take it slowly.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- You can still fall from the summit.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27- I'd dreamt about this climb - so many times over the years.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31- I couldn't believe - that I was about to succeed.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36- As I reached the ridge, - where Leo was filming me...
0:19:36 > 0:19:39- ..it was such a great feeling.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55- Naturally, a climber will feel fear.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57- You have to control that fear.
0:19:57 > 0:20:03- That's what I've managed to do over - the years when I've climbed alone.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07- During my early days of climbing, - I could feel the panic.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10- I soon realized - I had to control that fear.
0:20:10 > 0:20:16- I felt in danger many times - when I climbed the Eiger.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19- Often, I would talk to myself...
0:20:19 > 0:20:21- ..and suppress the panic.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23- That was important.
0:20:26 > 0:20:31- One of my interests as a child - was parachuting.
0:20:31 > 0:20:37- Over the years, I'd parachuted - in Perris, southern California.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41- I met a famous parachutist - called Moe Viletto.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- Moe had started to BASE jump.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50- B is jumping off a Building.
0:20:50 > 0:20:55- A is for Antenna, - or television tower.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57- S is for the Span of a bridge.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- E is for Earth or cliff.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- Moe was eager to do some climbing.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06- He'd done very little climbing.
0:21:06 > 0:21:11- He agreed to teach me to BASE jump - if I taught him to climb.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- We found ourselves - in Kleine Scheidegg.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19- We climbed the west side - of the Eiger, the easiest side.
0:21:21 > 0:21:22- On our descent...
0:21:22 > 0:21:26- ..we found a place where we could - jump over the north face.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- We returned in two days' time - with our parachutes.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34- Moe taught me what to do.
0:21:34 > 0:21:40- I felt rather nervous - because it was my first BASE jump.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45- No-one had done a BASE jump - off the Eiger before.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50- We jumped for two to three seconds, - opened the parachute...
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- ..and landed in Kleine Scheidegg.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55- It was a great feeling.
0:22:00 > 0:22:07- I've thought a lot about the time - when I'm too old to climb mountains.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10- It'll be harder for me...
0:22:10 > 0:22:14- ..than for someone - who retired at a younger age.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16- I hope I can cope with it.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21- It will be difficult for me, - having done so much over the years.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- I've been lucky with my health.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28- He's so modest about his successes.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30- Everyone admires him for that.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33- He didn't set out - to make a name for himself.
0:22:33 > 0:22:38- He climbed - to achieve personal satisfaction.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44- The three places - are very important to me.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47- I was there - during important times in my life.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49- Where I was born and raised...
0:22:49 > 0:22:54- ..and where I return - to relive fond memories.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59- Llanberis Pass is where I started - climbing and still climb...
0:22:59 > 0:23:03- ..but on easier climbs - than years ago.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07- Today, Grindelwald has become - a second home for me.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- I've been here so many times.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12- It's a lovely, magical place - to visit.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16- I'll be coming here - as long as I can.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:55 > 0:23:55- .