In reply to The Ex-Engineer:
In all probability, given the physical rigours of everyday life at that time, climbers in general were fitter and stronger than most people who climb today. This fact, as well as moving together, with no runners in the accepted sense, plus perfunctory belaying by running a rope around a pillar etc when possible (otherwise unsecured body belaying) - and 75 mins begins to look achievable.
I'm reminded that one of the pioneers of rock climbing in Radnorshire's Elan Valley in the early 1950s was a Crown Forester named E.H. Lane. Much of his climbing was done on Sundays, a reflection of the fact that he, like other working class climbers, was working a six day week, as was normal at the time. In the absence of any railway connection or bus service, E.H., (by all accounts an obsessive and driven character), regularly cycled the topographically challenging 20-22 miles on poor roads from his home in Old Radnor to the cliffs of the Elan Valley. After climbing all day, pioneering new, multi-pitch routes in the Valley, he'd then cycle back home, gaining and loosing over 200m in 5 miles at one point while crossing the Radnor Hills, so as to be ready for work the following day.
Difficult times; remarkable people.
