Royal Robbins 1935 - 2017

[SacramentoMike]

When they talk about rock climbers, and especially when they talk about Yosemite rock climbers, Royal Robbins is about the first name that comes up. He wasn't just a pioneer of the sport, he pretty much invented it. You can't live around here and not be familiar with his name. You should google him to get an appreciation. Died yesterday, peacefully at 82. Not bad for somebody who risked his neck for so long.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

And few know the 5.11 brand started with Royal's utility pant design, even fewer of the origin of the 5.11 name. A staple for law enforcement, and now almost as popular with wannabees as well. The guy was fully legit. I climbed back in the day. Never on his level. A legend has passed.

 

[2degreesout]

I used to do a little climbing in the 70's. I still have these two books down in the basement on my bookshelf

 

[russperry]

He's in that documentary that's on Amazon Prime called "Valley Uprising" or something like that - really excellent story telling about those days. The story about the drug runners' plane crashing into Lake Merced is classic. Yeah - quite a few of those guys didn't make it to old age.

 

[canucklehead-biker]

I climbed a few of the routes that he, Chouinard and some of the other legends put up when I lived in SoCal. Classic climbs. A legend.

RIP

Griff