In the 1950's climbing standards exploded, thanks in legend to two men - Joe Brown and Don Whillans.

They were small wiry men of immense power and small stature. Together they pushed the standards far and hard. Their world revolved round the gritstone outcrops of Shining Clough, Kinder, Yellowslacks and the Roaches and cliffs of North Wales and the Lakes.

This film is about one of them, the droll, uncompromising, feisty half of that exceptional partnership, Don Whillans. Brought up on the back streets of Salford and attending the university of life he became an icon to the climbing world. His ofttimes brutal routes became legendary, his frequent fights went into folklore and his biting wit became the currency of a generation.