Tobin Sorenson (June 15, 1955 – October 5, 1980) was an American rock climber and alpinist famed for establishing bold first ascents on Yosemite big walls, in the Alps, Canadian Rockies, and New Zealand. [1]
Early life and education
A California native, Sorenson was the son of a minister, Lee Sorenson, and was raised in Covina, California. [2] As a teenager he played the guitar at church and sang in the choir, and continued to emphasize faith and spirituality throughout his life. [2] Sorenson graduated from Biola University in 1980.
Career
Sorenson honed his climbing skills at Tahquitz Rock, Joshua Tree National Park, Suicide Rock, and Yosemite Valley. [2] [3] [4] [5] Later he turned his attention to the European Alps, and conquered several dangerous ice climbs in the Mont Blanc massif and the Eiger north face. [2] [6] Sorenson is considered by some to be the best all-around climber of his time. [2] [7] A contemporary of John Long and John Bachar in a group they called the Stonemasters putting up daring new routes in the Idyllwild, California area, Sorenson pushed risk standards in the realm of rock climbing and alpine mountaineering. [3] [7]
Death
Sorenson died from a fall during a solo attempt of the Mount Alberta's North Face on October 5, 1980. [8] [3]
Further reading
- Long, John and Fidelman, Dean. The Stonemasters: California rock climbers in the seventies. Santa Barbara, California: Stonemaster Press/T. Adler Books, 2009.
References
- ^ Sacks, Ronald (1981). "Tobin Sorenson, 1955-1980". American Alpine Club. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Accomazzo, Rick (Spring 2015). "He Would Just Go: Tobin Sorenson and the Alps, 1977". Alpinist. Vol. 45. American Alpine Club. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ a b c Long, John; Fidelman, Dean (2009). The Stonemasters: California rock climbers in the seventies. Santa Barbara, California: Stonemaster Press/T. Adler Books. ISBN 9780984094905.
- ^ "On Living the Adventure". One Pursuit. January 5, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ "On Living the Adventure, Part 2". One Pursuit. January 7, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ Sorenson, Tobin (1978). "Climbs and Expeditions: Europe". American Alpine Journal. 21 (2): 587–588.
- ^ a b Long, John (2019). The Little Book of Outdoor Wisdom: An Adventurer's Collection of Anecdotes and Advice. Guilford, CT: Falcon. p. 81-85. ISBN 9781493034734.
- ^ "Covina Climber Killed in Fall in Canada's Rocky Mountains". Los Angeles Times. October 11, 1980. pp. A22.