Don Whillans has an iconic significance for generations of climbers. His epoch-making first ascent of Annapurnas South Face achieved with Dougal Haston in 1970 remains one of the most impressive climbs ever made
- but behind this & all his other formidable achievements lies a tough recalcitrant reality: the character of the man himself. Whillans carried within himself a sense of personal invincibility forceful direct & uncompromising. It gave him sporting superstar status
- the flawed heroism of a Best a Mc Enroe an Ali. In his own circle his image was the working-class hero on the rock-face laconic & bellicose ready to go to war with the elements or with any human who crossed his path on a bad day.