Bill Wintrip second from left. There is 'at least one' present-day UKC forums regular in this picture ... :-)
Evidence that the picture was indeed taken by me is my camera box with my name on it in the foreground.

What a great picture. The very cheerful chap in the middle has the right attitude - none of that namby-pamby EB climbing shoe rubbish for him!

I suppose there's no harm in saying who they all are, incl the 'UKC regular' who would prefer to remain anonymous:
L-R: Postmanpat in his youth, Bill Wintrip, Neil --, Nick --, Dave Yates
I think they really were more cheerful days, strangely enough. Not so intense. Far from wanting better gear we were quite proud of using minimal equipment. Just climbing boots (usually EBs) and old clothing. No harnesses, no chalk, no belay plates. Nothing else except the rope. I think the one in this shot is my old very hairy orange polypropylene thing - a cheap sailing rope used by many here in the 70s because it was very cheap and light, and you didn't worry about it getting all frayed and sandy. Totally unsuitable for leading though. We always just tied the rope round the waist with a bowline. Had the huge advantage that you couldn't rest on it very long before it got very painful. Typically, if you were faffing around for more than about two minutes you would be lowered to the ground at high speed and someone else would be given a go.

Great stuff - and I note the flares as well. Our fashion statements in those days were Falmers jeans, bought on the cheap from Brian Molyneux who at that time owned a boutique (!!?) on Bold Street in Liverpool (Cloud, just downstairs from Virgin Records). They were quite tight and had a nasty habit of ripping when doing a high step....
Polypropylene rope. Good grief.
The other plus was that things were more evenly paced - no instance response required of anything except a shout for more beer!

Ah, brings back memories! The missing surnames are (Neil) Mason and (Nick) Southern

Thanks, Nick. Doesn't it just seem like centuries ago rather than 35 years?

It certainly looks like centuries ago! My almost mullet like hairstyle is a bit of a worry!

What a sad picture this is for me now, in the horrific, hate-filled wreck of a country I find myself in, over 40 years later. Those were innocent, happy days; perhaps too innocent. I was quite a good photographer ... at capturing moments ... but absolutely useless at looking into the future, or spotting the rot within. But who could?

Dave Yates from Canada - lovely memories of these times....

Great to hear you, Dave. I didn't take too many photos at that time, and very few of groups like this. It's just amazing how it takes you back. 44 years!!

Dave Yates from Canada - lovely memories of these times....

Dave Yates from Canada - lovely memories of these times....

Dave Yates from Canada - lovely memories of these times....

Dave Yates from Canada - lovely memories of these times....

Dave Yates from Canada - lovely memories of these times....