Chris Bonington: What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? — FLAPSS

The question

What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

CB

Chris Bonington

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

When I was climbing I was absolutely happy. I can use a climbing wall, but that’s not the same as real climbing.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 March 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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Sara Cox English broadcaster

Getting a daily show on Radio 2, because that was an ambition for so long.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 31 August 2019 source ↗

Julie Delpy French actress and filmmaker

When I am working on something I really like, or when I am alone with my son playing in the garden.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 June 2013 source ↗

Marilyn Manson American musician

About 15 minutes ago: I'm on medication and it's starting to wear off.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2009 source ↗

Joely Richardson British actress

At work, my happiest moments are between “action” and “cut”. I am also very happy when justice is done, and when camping.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 July 2015 source ↗

More from Chris Bonington

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Question What lesson has mattered most in your life? Time & hindsight

Whenever things seem absolutely terrible, to see that you’re alive and that’s all that matters.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 March 2025 source ↗

Question What one change would most improve the quality of your daily life? Daily life

Becoming more physically active.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 March 2025 source ↗

Question As a child, what career or life did you imagine for yourself? Identity & self

I was a huge daydreamer and imagined myself as a successful general leading his troops into battle.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 March 2025 source ↗

Question How close have you come to dying? Death & what remains

There are so many instances when I’ve come very close to death that it’s difficult to pick one.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 March 2025 source ↗

Question If you could revise one chapter of your past, what would you change? Failure & regret

The loss of Conrad.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 March 2025 source ↗

Question What would you most want to leave your children? Death & what remains

Compassion, resourcefulness and resilience form a rounded good person. So that’s what I’d like to leave my children and grandchildren.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 March 2025 source ↗

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