Tony Penning

Tony started climbing in 1970 when he was a member of the RAF Mountain Rescue team. His first year, based in the Peak District established his life long passion for climbing.

As soon as Tony first touched rock he knew this was where his destiny lay. Within a very short period of time he was tackling long and adventurous routes with very little experience.

In 1971 he met a like minded soul, Pete Cresswell who was to be his constant companion for 18 years until his untimely death. During their time together they climbed many difficult climbs both in the UK and the Alps and this included numerous first ascents. One of their most memorable was the Bonatti Pillar on the Dru, which has since fallen down!

Pete’s death led to a 3 year break from climbing as Tony came to terms with his grief.

He was tempted back by two climbs he couldn’t say no to. The first The Scoop on Sron Ulladale in the Outer Hebrides. The second a major new, big wall climb on a remote face in Greenland. He succeeded on both.

Over the next ten years Tony climbed such notable routes as Mescalito on El Cap in Yosemite, The Brandler Hasse on the north face of the Cima Grande, The Titan near Moab in Utah, and The Cruise in the Black Canyon in Colorado. In the same period Tony continued with his obsession for new rock on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc range and has now pioneered over 30 climbs up to E5 on this dark side of the Alps.

In recent years Tony has added Spain and Sardinia as must climb places but he still enjoys coming home to climb at his local venue, the Wye valley. Over the last 28 years Tony has contributed and authored guide books in South Wales and the south-west and was part of the team that produced the new Lower Wye Valley guide.

Tony has been instructing climbing for 10 years and holds the Mountain Instructor Award and was part of the team that produced The Lower Wye Valley and Symonds Yat Guides.