Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes 4 years old

His final mission: to rescue himself

The legend of Hamish MacInnes began early. At 16 he climbed the Matterhorn. At 17 he built his first motor car – from scratch. He attempted Everest in 1953 with his friend Johnny Cunningham, and almost stole the peak before Hillary and Tenzing. As an explorer, expedition leader and engineer he achieved world fame. As inventor of the all metal ice axe, author of the International Mountain Rescue Handbook and founder of Glencoe Mountain Rescue he has been responsible for saving hundreds of lives, if not thousands. But at the age of 84, his accomplishments could not save him from being institutionalised against his will, suffering from delirium. After a spell in psychogeriatric detainment in a hospital in the Highlands of Scotland, during which he made many escape attempts – he emerged to find his memory gone. This film tells the story of his life by mirroring his greatest challenge: to recover his memories and rescue himself.

Credits

Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes Cast

Name	Character
Michael Palin He was 76, now 80 years old	as Himself
Yvon Chouinard He was 80, now 85 years old	as Himself

Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes Crew

Name	Department