Joe Brown awarded CBE

Posted by Tina Gardner on 04/01/2011
Joe Brown photo: Gordon Stainforth

Legendary Manchester climber Joe Brown has been made a CBE in the New Year Honours list.

Joe Brown, whose climbing career has spanned 60 years, has been recognised for his services to the sport.

Joe said receiving the award was like being recognised for "doing something he loved every day". He said: "Receiving the CBE is so strange, because it's like I'm being awarded for enjoying myself. I have never lacked enthusiasm, and I surprise even myself at how much I love my sport.  It's that spirit of adventure which has taken me all over the world."

Considered by many to be Britain's greatest all-round climber, Joe's accomplishments are many and varied. After World War II he led the surge in rock climbing standards, and with Don Whillans formed one of the strongest climbing partnerships of all time. The gritstone edges of the Peak District are home to numerous Brown testpieces, such as Stanage’s Right Unconquerable, Curbar’s Peapod and Great Slab on Froggatt.

In 1952 Joe made the first ascent of Cenotaph Corner in the Llanberis Pass, and followed this up with many significant first ascents on Cloggy and Gogarth. Further afield he contributed to a renaissance in British alpinism, and in 1955 became one of only two Britons to make the first ascent of an 8,000m peak, when he and George Band climbed Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest mountain. A list of some of his most significant first ascents is available here.

Originally from Manchester, Joe has been climbing since he was 16. He is now 80 years old and has lived in Llanberis since 1966, when he opened a climbing shop in the village.

To listen to interviews with Joe recounting his life of climbing go to Phil Kelly's RockArchivist website.



« Back

Post a comment Print this article

This article has been read 1834 times

TAGS

Click on the tags to explore more

LINKS

Joe Brown's website
Manchester Evening News
BBC

RELATED ARTICLES

First ascent of Kanchenjunga: 65 years ago this week
0
First ascent of Kanchenjunga: 65 years ago this week

65 years ago this week, Joe Brown and George Band made the first ascent of Kanchenjunga (8,586m), the world's third highest peak. To mark this anniversary, you can now watch "An interview with Joe Brown" by Alun Hughes on the BMC YouTube channel. Sarah Stirling brings us the story of the first ascent of the mountain.
Read more »

Legendary climber Joe Brown dies
11
Legendary climber Joe Brown dies

Legendary climber Joe Brown died last night, aged 89. Joe, originally a plumber’s apprentice from Manchester, took the British climbing world by storm after WWII. In the 50s and 60s, Joe’s dazzling performance on rock pushed British climbing standards and, in 1955, he climbed Kanchenjunga: the third highest mountain in the world. Here, journalist Ed Douglas remembers this titan of our climbing world.
Read more »

Rediscovered: TV film of climbing history
0
Rediscovered: TV film of climbing history

Whilst researching his latest book, Pete McDonald struck pure gold in terms of historic climbing footage when he came face to face with the BBC film 'Eye to Eye' comprising some of the great names of the 50s in front of and behind the camera.
Read more »

Post a Comment

Posting as Anonymous Community Standards
3000 characters remaining
Submit
Your comment has been posted below, click here to view it
Comments are currently on | Turn off comments
0

There are currently no comments, why not add your own?

RELATED ARTICLES

First ascent of Kanchenjunga: 65 years ago this week
0

65 years ago this week, Joe Brown and George Band made the first ascent of Kanchenjunga (8,586m), the world's third highest peak. To mark this anniversary, you can now watch "An interview with Joe Brown" by Alun Hughes on the BMC YouTube channel. Sarah Stirling brings us the story of the first ascent of the mountain.
Read more »

Legendary climber Joe Brown dies
11

Legendary climber Joe Brown died last night, aged 89. Joe, originally a plumber’s apprentice from Manchester, took the British climbing world by storm after WWII. In the 50s and 60s, Joe’s dazzling performance on rock pushed British climbing standards and, in 1955, he climbed Kanchenjunga: the third highest mountain in the world. Here, journalist Ed Douglas remembers this titan of our climbing world.
Read more »

Rediscovered: TV film of climbing history
0

Whilst researching his latest book, Pete McDonald struck pure gold in terms of historic climbing footage when he came face to face with the BBC film 'Eye to Eye' comprising some of the great names of the 50s in front of and behind the camera.
Read more »

BMC MEMBERSHIP
Join 82,000 BMC members and support British climbing, walking and mountaineering. Membership only £16.97.
Read more »
BMC SHOP
Great range of guidebooks, DVDs, books, calendars and maps.
All with discounts for members.
Read more »
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Get covered with BMC Insurance. Our five policies take you from the beach to Everest.
Read more »