Eric Jones (climber): Difference between revisions
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He is most well-known for having climbed the North face of the [[Eiger]], the [[Matterhorn]] and South Col on [[Everest]].<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/talkwales/transcripts/eric_jones.shtml The Man who jumped beneath the Earth]</ref> He has also climbed the Central Pillar of Brouillard on [[Mt Blanc]] and Bonatti Pillar on the [[Aiguille du Dru|Dru]].<ref>[http://www.heason.net/Speakers/Eric_Jones/ Heason page - biography]</ref> |
He is most well-known for having climbed the North face of the [[Eiger]], the [[Matterhorn]] and South Col on [[Everest]].<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/talkwales/transcripts/eric_jones.shtml The Man who jumped beneath the Earth]</ref> He has also climbed the Central Pillar of Brouillard on [[Mt Blanc]] and Bonatti Pillar on the [[Aiguille du Dru|Dru]].<ref>[http://www.heason.net/Speakers/Eric_Jones/ Heason page - biography]</ref> |
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Raised on a farm, as a boy he was interested in parachuting and skydiving, and later wanted to sign up with the Parachute Regiment. However, an earlier injury - a result of a motorbike accident - led to him joining the Military Police.<ref>[http://www.extremedreams.co.uk/index.php/xlid/2 Extreme Dreams biography]</ref> |
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Jones took up skydiving in 1961 and a year later, he began climbing, climbing extensively in Snowdonia and the Lake District, followed by climbs in Italy. He took up solo climbing when his climbing partner became less available, and found that it gave him the freedom to move quicker, though also brought greater risks.<ref>[http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/the-man-who-went-up-a-mountain-and-jumped-1266301.html The Independent Lifestyle article]</ref> |
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He started climbing at the ages of 26.<ref>[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-173061917.html Highbeam.com site]</ref> |
He started climbing at the ages of 26.<ref>[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-173061917.html Highbeam.com site]</ref> |
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Many of his exploits, such as the Eiger ascent <ref>[http://adventure-eye.com/eiger.shtml Adventure Eye website]</ref> and the Matterhorn ascent <ref>[http://adventure-eye.com/matt.shtml Adventrue Eye website]</ref>, have been filmed by award winning cameraman [[Leo Dickinson]]. |
Many of his exploits, such as the Eiger ascent <ref>[http://adventure-eye.com/eiger.shtml Adventure Eye website]</ref> and the Matterhorn ascent <ref>[http://adventure-eye.com/matt.shtml Adventrue Eye website]</ref>, have been filmed by award winning cameraman [[Leo Dickinson]]. Jones and Dickinson, with 2 other climbers, made the first complete film of the Eiger climb in 1970, with Jones' first British solo ascent following in 1981, resulting in an acclaimed film. |
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Dickinson (who went on to write a book called ''"Filming the Impossible"'') also filmed "Ice Climbing with Eric Jones in Switzerland".<ref>[http://www.adventurearchive.com/data/film_library_sports_rock_ice_climbing.htm AdventureArchive.com]</ref> |
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As a skydiver |
As a skydiver Jones jumped onto the [[North Pole]] and down the east face of Cerro Torre in [[Patagonia]]. In 1991, as a member of a four man team, he flew two hot air balloons over Mt Everest, an exploit which gained three entries in the [[Guinness Book of Records]].<ref>[http://www.heason.net/Speakers/Eric_Jones/ Heason page - biography]</ref> |
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He started base jumping at the age of 50. His first jump was the first ever base jump off the Eiger. He has also jumped off the [[Angel Falls]] in [[Venezuela]], shown in the documentary film "The Man Who Jumped To Earth" (1998). At the age of 61, he is the oldest person to have done this.<ref>[http://www.aerialfocus.com/angelpics.html Aerialfocus website]</ref> His jump into the [[Cave of the Swallows]] in [[Mexico]] was shown in the documentary "The Man who jumped beneath the Earth" (2003). |
He started base jumping at the age of 50. His first jump was the first ever base jump off the Eiger. He has also jumped off the [[Angel Falls]] in [[Venezuela]], shown in the documentary film "The Man Who Jumped To Earth" (1998). At the age of 61, he is the oldest person to have done this.<ref>[http://www.aerialfocus.com/angelpics.html Aerialfocus website]</ref> His jump into the [[Cave of the Swallows]] in [[Mexico]] was shown in the documentary "The Man who jumped beneath the Earth" (2003). |
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His self-proclaimed motto is "Life is adventure or nothing at all".<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/talkwales/transcripts/eric_jones.shtml BBC website transcript]</ref> |
His self-proclaimed motto is "Life is adventure or nothing at all".<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/talkwales/transcripts/eric_jones.shtml BBC website transcript]</ref> |
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An unassuming man, he still walks, climbs, skis and jumps <ref>[http://dysguars4c.co.uk/tudalen.php?aid=1116&i=cy S4C website]</ref>, and a recent documentary by [[S4C]] screened in 2007/8 called "Alpau Eric Jones" saw him revisiting the Alps.<ref>[http://www.s4c.co.uk/ffeithiol/e_alpauericjones.shtml S4C Factual site]</ref> He also still gives occasional lectures on his experiences. |
An unassuming man, he still walks, climbs, skis and jumps <ref>[http://dysguars4c.co.uk/tudalen.php?aid=1116&i=cy S4C website]</ref>, and a recent documentary by [[S4C]] screened in 2007/8 called "Alpau Eric Jones" saw him revisiting the Alps.<ref>[http://www.s4c.co.uk/ffeithiol/e_alpauericjones.shtml S4C Factual site]</ref> He also still gives occasional lectures on his experiences, and has in the past co-presented with Dickinson. |
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Today he also owns and runs a small cafe at [[Tremadog]], near [[Porthmadog]], which is popular with climbers and bikers alike. Some of his exploits can be seen in photos on the walls.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/talkwales/transcripts/eric_jones.shtml The Man who jumped beneath the Earth]</ref> |
Today he also owns and runs a small cafe at [[Tremadog]], near [[Porthmadog]], which is popular with climbers and bikers alike. Some of his exploits can be seen in photos on the walls.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/talkwales/transcripts/eric_jones.shtml The Man who jumped beneath the Earth]</ref> |
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Revision as of 09:35, 24 August 2009
Eric Jones (born 1937) is a Welsh solo climber, skydiver and base jumper.
He is most well-known for having climbed the North face of the Eiger, the Matterhorn and South Col on Everest.[1] He has also climbed the Central Pillar of Brouillard on Mt Blanc and Bonatti Pillar on the Dru.[2]
Raised on a farm, as a boy he was interested in parachuting and skydiving, and later wanted to sign up with the Parachute Regiment. However, an earlier injury - a result of a motorbike accident - led to him joining the Military Police.[3]
Jones took up skydiving in 1961 and a year later, he began climbing, climbing extensively in Snowdonia and the Lake District, followed by climbs in Italy. He took up solo climbing when his climbing partner became less available, and found that it gave him the freedom to move quicker, though also brought greater risks.[4]
He started climbing at the ages of 26.[5]
Many of his exploits, such as the Eiger ascent [6] and the Matterhorn ascent [7], have been filmed by award winning cameraman Leo Dickinson. Jones and Dickinson, with 2 other climbers, made the first complete film of the Eiger climb in 1970, with Jones' first British solo ascent following in 1981, resulting in an acclaimed film.
Dickinson (who went on to write a book called "Filming the Impossible") also filmed "Ice Climbing with Eric Jones in Switzerland".[8]
As a skydiver Jones jumped onto the North Pole and down the east face of Cerro Torre in Patagonia. In 1991, as a member of a four man team, he flew two hot air balloons over Mt Everest, an exploit which gained three entries in the Guinness Book of Records.[9]
He started base jumping at the age of 50. His first jump was the first ever base jump off the Eiger. He has also jumped off the Angel Falls in Venezuela, shown in the documentary film "The Man Who Jumped To Earth" (1998). At the age of 61, he is the oldest person to have done this.[10] His jump into the Cave of the Swallows in Mexico was shown in the documentary "The Man who jumped beneath the Earth" (2003).
He has also done work as a stunt double for Sean Connery.[11]
His self-proclaimed motto is "Life is adventure or nothing at all".[12]
An unassuming man, he still walks, climbs, skis and jumps [13], and a recent documentary by S4C screened in 2007/8 called "Alpau Eric Jones" saw him revisiting the Alps.[14] He also still gives occasional lectures on his experiences, and has in the past co-presented with Dickinson.
Today he also owns and runs a small cafe at Tremadog, near Porthmadog, which is popular with climbers and bikers alike. Some of his exploits can be seen in photos on the walls.[15]
Jones is regarded by many of his peers as Britain's most successful solo climber.[16]
References
- ^ The Man who jumped beneath the Earth
- ^ Heason page - biography
- ^ Extreme Dreams biography
- ^ The Independent Lifestyle article
- ^ Highbeam.com site
- ^ Adventure Eye website
- ^ Adventrue Eye website
- ^ AdventureArchive.com
- ^ Heason page - biography
- ^ Aerialfocus website
- ^ Extreme Dreams biography
- ^ BBC website transcript
- ^ S4C website
- ^ S4C Factual site
- ^ The Man who jumped beneath the Earth
- ^ PosingProductions Eiger Solo