Cerberus 304 Posted March 26, 2005 Heard some interesting news on the radio this morning. Sir Ranulph Fiennes (crazy name, crazy guy) is going to attempt a solo climb of Mount Everest, despite being 61, in indifferent health and with very little experience of mountaineering. It's all for charity of course, so let's wish him well, but could he be about to go the same way as Mallory and Irvine? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magere Hein 1,400 Posted March 26, 2005 Heard some interesting news on the radio this morning. Sir Ranulph Fiennes (crazy name, crazy guy) is going to attempt a solo climb of Mount Everest, despite being 61, in indifferent health and with very little experience of mountaineering. I've never heard of that geezer. World famous in the UK, perhaps? It's all for charity of course, so let's wish him well, but could he be about to go the same way as Mallory and Irvine? A more interesting question: when will he try that? If it's this year he may well end up in the 'near misses' thread. regards, Hein Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest atkin Posted March 26, 2005 interestingly he was talking on radio about how he'd gone for tests on his heart and lungs in some altitude thingydo. The results were not good, his lungs are not up to required standard and his insurance company have refused to cover him if anything goes wrong with them! MH - he's doing the trek in the next few weeks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lospalmas7 12 Posted March 27, 2005 I've never heard of that geezer. World famous in the UK, perhaps? Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wickham-Fiennes, 3rd Baronet, OBE is a bit of a nutter. He was chucked out of the SAS for blowing up part of a film set and recently ran 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents shortly after having a heart attack. He's also done various pointless things like walking to places that are hard to get to and climbing big things. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magere Hein 1,400 Posted March 27, 2005 Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wickham-Fiennes, 3rd Baronet, OBE is a bit of a nutter. He was chucked out of the SAS for blowing up part of a film set and recently ran 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents shortly after having a heart attack. He's also done various pointless things like walking to places that are hard to get to and climbing big things. Ah, so he's a candidate for upper class twit of the year, then. regards, Hein Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JPK Posted April 12, 2005 He is classified as the greatest living explorer by the Guiness Book of Records, actually a true hero. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Josco 49 Posted April 12, 2005 He is classified as the greatest living explorer by the Guiness Book of Records, actually a true hero. How many living explorers are there? I managed to work my way unaided across the 'Magic Roundabout' in Swindon once, am I an explorer? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Strangelove 14 Posted April 12, 2005 He is classified as the greatest living explorer by the Guiness Book of Records, actually a true hero. How many living explorers are there? I managed to work my way unaided across the 'Magic Roundabout' in Swindon once, am I an explorer? Really, I just looked at the road sign and burst out laughing. (Did you walk, or were you in a car?) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
honez 79 Posted April 12, 2005 Really, I just looked at the road sign and burst out laughing.(Did you walk, or were you in a car?) Walk? Have you seen his legs? Just take a look at his avatar. It might look like he's getting plenty of exercise, but he seriously needs some physio on those chicken legs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest One Man Jury Posted April 12, 2005 actually a true hero. Cobblers! A true berk perhaps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Oates 21 Posted April 12, 2005 He is classified as the greatest living explorer by the Guiness Book of Records, actually a true hero. How many living explorers are there? I managed to work my way unaided across the 'Magic Roundabout' in Swindon once, am I an explorer? Swindon Magic Roundabout or, if your legs are up to it, the view from Mount Everest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Josco 49 Posted April 12, 2005 Swindon Magic Roundabout ............ When were these pictures taken? There's no traffic; a real explorer crosses it at 08:30! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lospalmas7 12 Posted June 4, 2005 Fiennes quits Everest summit bid "Sir Ranulph Fiennes has abandoned his attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest, his team has said. The 61-year-old was making his final move towards the 8,850 metre (29,035ft) peak when he was forced to pull out. A team spokesman said the explorer decided he was "pushing himself too hard", adding that poor conditions were also to blame." Looks like he's become aware of his own mortality. Shame. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevonDeathTrip 2,360 Posted March 28, 2008 Sir Ranulph Fiennes is going to try and climb Everest again. His wife and his doctor think he might die of a heart attack if he attempts it. He's going to do it anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 10,662 Posted March 28, 2008 S'cuse the crudity but...... Is that climb any more dangerous for his heart than climbing on top of a fiesty woman over twenty years his junior? Either way, he rocks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Godot 149 Posted May 15, 2008 According to today's Telegraph, Fiennes is likely to head up in the next week, says he's fully acclimatised, also says he's on oxygen a lot of the time. Not wanting to belittle his attempt - I still think there's a good chance he will die if he makes the top (it's the coming back down that gets 'em) - the oxygen does make it a whole lot easier. All the same, on top of all his heart problems, it does look as if he has a death wish although I think a better interpretation is that he doesn't give a f**k, just wants to get to the top. I didn't know about this attempt when I made my list at the end of last year. Otherwise he would definitely have been on it. Good on him. He's a nutter but I don't say that disparagingly. There are nutters who are just plain nutters and there are nutters who inspire us and do good things. I would put Fiennes in the latter category. I will miss him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Octopus of Odstock 2,206 Posted May 15, 2008 Well, this is the year where celebrities are dying relatively young, so.... Hope he'll be alright. Barmy as a fruitcake he is, but in the best possible way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
One shot Paddy 1,206 Posted May 17, 2008 According to the lunchtime news yesterday the attempt will be tomorrow (Sunday), it also stated that he has prostate cancer so this will be his last chance to make the climb. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 10,662 Posted May 24, 2008 Didn't get up, so there's a fair chance he will get down alright. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
harrymcnallysblueandwhitearmy 1,698 Posted May 21, 2009 Didn't get up, so there's a fair chance he will get down alright. Third time lucky for the compulsive-risk-taking old codger. He can use his free bus pass on the way home. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TAFKAG 70 Posted March 7, 2010 He's had a prang in his Jag. Fortunately, a full rescue team complete with St Bernard were at the scene within minutes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VSBfromH 74 Posted March 8, 2010 He's had a prang in his Jag. Fortunately, a full rescue team complete with St Bernard were at the scene within minutes. Ah, he was competing in the High Peak Marathon. I heard the news of his prang on the radio and was wondering what the hell he would be doing on the A6 in Stockport! Funnily enough, Iraq veteran Phil Packer was being interviewed on Radio 5 on Saturday morning about the Sport Relief 3 Peaks challenge he was undertaking with Sirs Steve Redgrave and Clive Woodward. He mentioned that he had wanted a third "Sir" which would have been Fiennes, but he had replied that he would not be able to take part due to it being his birthday on Sunday and he would have to be at home with his family. Maybe that's why he was in such a hurry (or maybe he didn't like the look of Stockport!)? Latest report is that he may have "dozed off" at the wheel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TAFKAG 70 Posted September 17, 2012 Attempting to cross the Antarctic on foot next year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest High77 Posted September 17, 2012 Attempting to cross the Antarctic on foot next year. I think that this will finish him off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord Fellatio Nelson 6,221 Posted September 17, 2012 Ive gotta say, im in utter awe of this fella. Frostbite, amputations, surviving in temperatures way below the entrance to a Nuns fanny, his toupe has seen the lot and AFAIK he has never left it stranded anywhere. How faithful a companion is that, eh? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
