Meet the fearless seven-year-old mountaineer who already has 17 Munros in the bag

A DARING seven-year-old who took up climbing while he was still in nappies has become a mountaineering sensation.

Intrepid Marcus Tinley was just two when he first ventured up the hills with dad Simon.

Perched on an ice-covered summit, surrounded by jagged mountain ridges, he looks every inch the mini-explorer now.

He’s thought to be one of Britain’s youngest winter climbers having learned how to scale peaks in crampons and use an ice axe.

Marcus also loves trail running – a sport which involves climbing then running down mountains.

The super-fit youngster has to think on his feet to negotiate winding paths as well as steps, jumps, rivers and loose stones.

Videos show him running along mountain trails and sliding over boulders as he makes his way down.

Proud dad Simon is amazed by what his boy has achieved.

He said: “Marcus started walking on small hills when he was two.

“We roamed over local hills repeatedly until he turned four and successfully summited his first Munro – Ben Lomond.

“Even from this early age he started to run downhill.

“As if summiting Ben Lomond wasn’t a big enough surprise to me, he ran about half of the descent.”

Since that first big climb he has scaled 17 Munros and dozens of smaller hills – often taking the opportunity to sprint back down them.

Such is his skill that world champion trail runner Kilian Jornet has tipped him to become a future star after watching a video of his exploits online.

The longest run Marcus has completed came on the 1044m-high Munro Meall nan Tarmachan in the Highlands.

It took the youngster four hours to reach the summit and less than an hour to run back down again.

Simon, 39, said: “Marcus’s footwork was outstanding and so I allowed the boundaries to be pushed a little more than usual, with the odd moment of reining him in as my heart was in my mouth!”

Simon loves every minute of his adventures with Marcus and gives his son medals to celebrate every Munro he conquers.

The pair, from Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, are sometimes accompanied on their exploits by Simon’s wife, Rhona, and 10-year-old daughter, Lucy.

Simon and Marcus also make up silly songs as they climb to amuse themselves and stop off for high-energy treats like cake and hot chocolate. Project manager Simon said: “It’s great spending time with him and we have such a laugh.”

People sometimes question the danger of the activities, but Simon points out that the biggest lesson his son learns is how to be safe and plan ahead.

He said: “It’s about knowledge and experience and Marcus has five years of that in the bag already. I would never put him in a situation that’s dangerous. It might look dangerous but actually we are in control.”

Simon has a lot of experience to draw upon given he has scaled the iconic Matterhorn in the Alps.

“I feel very lucky to share these experiences with Marcus,” he said. “His abilities have stunned me. The things I thought we would do when he was older are getting done now. I’m very proud and can’t wait until our next adventure.”

Read more about their adventures at http://www.carpediemmountaineering.com/