Man, 90, climbs 3,000ft Scafell Pike 'to see if I could still do it'

Derald Barham scaled England's highest mountain Scafell Pike in the Lake District last week for the fourteenth time - 62 years after his first ascent in 1962.

The former GP of 27 years, who also worked in India and Ghana for half a decade, tackled the challenge with his four sons and 20-month great-grandchild.

(Image: Derald Barham) The Cassiobury resident said: “I wanted to see if I could still do it when I was 90. So, my ambition was to climb it with my four sons coming up with me.”

Though it was harder than he remembered, he succeeded, leading the way to the top where the Barham family sang ‘for he’s a jolly good fellow’ for this milestone birthday.

Even so, the climb did not come without any repercussions. He said: “There were aches and pains when I came down. What do you expect when you’re gone 90.”

Derald climbing the mountain, aged 90. (Image: Derald Barham) Overall he said it was a truly special occasion, noting that one of his sons came from Slovakia to “make sure I safely got to the top and came back down again”.

Born in Watford and educated in Watford Grammar School, Dr Barham has spent a lifetime climbing mountains including Kilimanjaro, Great Ararat, and the base camp at Mount Everest.

At the age of 80, he stopped climbing the big global peaks, and though he says he will continue walking, particularly in the Chilterns, his mountain days are probably over.

“My boots are going into retirement. If I ever do go to the Lake District again, I’ll be looking at the mountains, but not climbing them, and remembering all my past glories.”

Derald with his family (Image: Derald Barham)