British granny who started rock climbing aged 93 is ‘Cross I’ve never tried it before’

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Marie Dorbin scaled a 26-foot indoor rock face for the first time on her birthday and said, “There was something inside me just waiting to come out.”

Thrillseeker Marie Dorbin started rock climbing…at the age of 93.

On her birthday, the great-grandmother scaled a 26-foot indoor rock face for the first time.

She was the first 90-year-old to don a harness at Craggy Island Indoor Climbing Gym — and she loved every second.

Marie, who is 4ft 9in, said: “It just felt so natural. I was mad that I had never done this before.

“I kept thinking, ‘I’m going to wake up soon, this is too much fun to be true!’

“There was something inside me just waiting to come out. I’m just glad I finally found out before I was too old.”

Daughter Patricia, 71, said: “When mum came down there was this crowd of people standing around and couldn’t fully take in what she was seeing.

“Mom beamed and claimed she didn’t hear the call to come down sooner because of her hearing aids – then three more climbs!”

Beth McFarlane, instructor at Guildford Climbing Centre, said: “I wasn’t expecting Marie’s strength and speed.

She ran up the wall like someone half her age. It was amazing!”

Former secretary Marie, from Old Coulsdon, Surrey, went on a post-climb trip for Christmas and has booked another climb trip for her 94th birthday.

However, the passionate royalist is a bit of a daredevil. For her 90th birthday, Marie enjoyed a play day attended by her five children, 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Patricia said: “Mum fired guns, did archery, slackline, a coconut shy… she was first in the hot tub and we had a marquee depicting Buckingham Palace with a full size queen cutout.

“Later, Mum would steer a barge up and down the Thames while she sang Land of Hope and Glory.

“Mum always did things her way. During World War II, she refused to go into bunkers, instead sitting under the kitchen table
with your dog.

“She has always refused to act her age. We thought she would get over it, but we’re glad she’s still misbehaving.”