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Sir Chris Bonington

World renowned Everest expedition leader and summiteer

Chris Bonington is one of the most successful expedition organizers in the history of mountaineering, and is perhaps best known for his leadership of the first ascent of the 12,000-foot South Face of Annapurna in 1970 and the first ascent of the immense South-West Face of Everest in 1975. In both cases, his leadership responsibilities precluded him reaching the summit, but he returned to Everest in 1985 and personally reached the top of the world at the age of fifty years.

For his achievements, Chris was honored by Queen Elizabeth with the CBE in 1976 and was knighted in 1996. In addition, he has received the Founder's Medal of the Royal Geographical Society and a number of honorary degrees. He has served as President of The Alpine Club, the British Council for National Parks, the British Orienteering Federation and the British Leprosy Charity.