Harold Drasdo
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Harold Drasdo, English rock climber, writer and educationalist, was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, February 1930. He began rock climbing just after World War II and became a founding member of a loose association of young climbers from the area who came to be known as The Bradford Lads. Active throughout the United Kingdom, particularly the Gritstone edges of Yorkshire and Derbyshire, the fells of the English Lake District and the mountains of North Wales.
Harold climbed regularly in the late 1940's and 1950's with most of the leading northern rock climbers of the day including Joe Brown and members of the legendary Rock and Ice club. Another regular partner throughout his active career has been his brother Neville Drasdo who became a formidable climber during this period in his own right and whose activities included an ascent with Joe Brown of one of the hardest UK route of it's day.Hardd; E3.5c, Carreg Hyll Drem South Snowdonia, North Wales, UK.
With Neville Drasdo he was the first climber to explore the undiscovered Poisoned Glen in Donegal, Éire and during an intensive period established several hard first ascents. The Drasdo Brothers celebrated 50 years of new routing in 2000 which began with an ascent of Cravat VS/4c Neckband Crag, Langdale, English Lake District in 1950 and culminated with an ascent of Two Against Nature severe/4a Craig Ddu, Moel Siabod, North Wales. As a guidebook writer, Harold Drasdo wrote the first Fell & Rock Club guide to The Eastern Crags in 1957. In 1971 he became the first climber to write both English and Welsh guide books when he authored The Climber's Club guide to Lliwedd. As a consistent explorer of undeveloped crags in England, Wales and Ireland, he has established many first ascents, which include North Crag Eliminate E1/5b Castle Rock, Grendal VS/4b Deepdale and Anarchist HS/4b Raven Crag...all English Lake District. Ulysses VS Donegal Éire and in North Wales Automedon VS/4c Arenig Fawr. Heart of Darkness VS/4c Arenig Fawr. Traditional Route Severe, Swallow Falls Buttress .
Harold was an outdoor education instructor who worked in Derbyshire and North Wales which culminated with a twenty year period as Chief Instructor of The Towers Outdoor Education Centre, Capel Curig, N Wales. Apart from his guidebook publications, he has had three further books published Education and The outdoor Centres 1972. The Mountain Spirit 1979 and his autobiography The Ordinary Route 1997. A frequent essayist and reviewer, Harold's published works are included in journals and magazines. Politically a lifelong anarchist and environmentalist who has frequently defended the natural environment in both actions and print. Harold lives in North Wales and still active in mountain activities.
