Coming up later in the week, a lovely article by Terry Gifford on the late Ronnie Wathen. Like Mo Anthoine, Ronnie was one of climbings' characters. A larger than life personality for whom climbing was only one element within a range of interests which included poetry and the playing the traditional Uillean pipes. An extensive traveller, Ronnie eventually settled at Deya in Majorca and built a house next to Robert Graves.
Apart from Graves, Ronnie's eclectic list of friends included Paddy Maloney of The Chieftans, Don Whillans and philosopher RD Laing. Not exactly the social circle of the modern rock jock!
His attachment to the world of mountaineering was described by Jim Perrin as 'romantic rather than diligent' A true renaissance man.
Ronnie Wathen. The 'Take me to your leader' shot which adorns his privately published 'The Unwritten Mountains'.Lady Jane©
