Rappelling off the Chamois quarry wall with the International School of Mountaineering based in Leysin, a Swiss alpine village and centre to a thriving international climbing community over the past five decades. Digital film scan, Autumn 1967.
Leysin was also home to the legendary Club Vagabond, a vibrant countercultural foyer and nexus of activity for a mix of young backpackers, elite climbers and mountain-sports enthusiasts during its heyday in the 60’s and 70’s. Situated in the Vaudois Alps above Aigle and the lower Rhone Valley.
Renowned British climber, Dougal Haston, formally took on the directorship of the mountaineering school soon after an audacious but successful first ascent (with four German climbers) on a direct route of the Eiger North Face in the winter of 1966.
Dougal, along with instructor Davie Agnew, led the school's basic training climbs on the imposing limestone west face of the Tour d’Aï above Leysin and the ice fields of Charmonix in France just 90 km from Leysin - coveted perks for anyone who had the chance to climb with these elite mountaineers at the time.
Other leading American and British alpinists were drawn to Leysin 'basecamp' in the early years, including the school's founder, John Harlin, Royal Robbins, Gary Hemming, Layton Kor, Don Whillans, Chris Bonnington, Pete Bordman and Canadian Chic Scott.
The climber above just completed a ten-day course with the school and is preparing for an ascent of the Eiger West Flank in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland.
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