Sunday 14 February 2010

Ben Nevis 1976...

this film is a piece of history in many ways..
i already posted this film i found trolling youtube on my facebook page a few months ago...
but would like to post it here as i think its a capture of time in many things...
behind the film is an amazing but tragic story...click on the `watch on youtube` icon to read the adjoining information on the right hand side...
film of the great climber john cunningham on ben nevis in winter...
although its part of a film never completed it captures a few things now long gone...
at 1:44 the main road through glencoe below buachaille etive moor...in 1976 it was single track with passing places!...i knew it was originaly built in 1933 but not still in use in 1976...
riding the british motorcycle with no helmet...done just for the film for the hard character he protrayed from glasgow as the helmet law was introduced in 1972 but a throwback to the days of the rockers..or ton-up kids (ton was the reference made to bikers that could exceed the then magic 100mph)
up there in winter..gloveless!...was it just cause they were filming or just because he really was hardcore?...maybe prepping up for the cold climb ahead...
steps off the bike and straight up to climb britains biggest mountain...
at 2:14 crossing the now dissapeared (kinlochleven to fort william) railwayline in glen nevis...closed after the aluminium smelter closed at kinlochleven...
film or not he`s climbing unroped with no helmet...that ice and snow falling on him would be like bricks hitting you...
the pub at the end...i cant place that but wonder if its the kingshouse when the 1933 road passed by the hotel?...
how much is the registration GRS4 worth now?...

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