Bonington, Chris(tian) John Storey (1934- )

English mountaineer. Known particularly for his expeditions to the Himalayas, he took part in the first ascent of Annapurna II in 1960 and was the leader of an Everest expedition in 1975 and again in 1985, reaching the summit. Other notable climbs include the first British ascent of the north face of the Eiger (Alps, Switzerland) in 1962 and the central Tower of Paine (Patagonia, Chile) in 1963.

He was born in Hampstead, England, and attended Sandhurst military academy, after which he was commissioned in the Royal Tank Regiment in 1956. He served for three years in North Germany before becoming an army mountaineering instructor. He has written several books, including the autobiographical I Chose to Climb (1966). He was knighted in 1996.