Tobin Sorenson
Tobin Lee Sorenson | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 15, 1955 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | October 5, 1980 (aged 25) Mount Alberta, Canadian Rockies, Canada |
| Education | Biola University (B.A., 1980) |
| Occupation | Rock climber · Alpinist |
| Years active | c. 1972–1980 |
| Organizations | Stonemasters climbing community; Biola University; American Alpine Club |
| Known for | Bold first ascents in Yosemite, the Alps, Canadian Rockies and New Zealand; leading figure of the 1970s Stonemasters |
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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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, the north face of the Grandes Jorasses,[6] and the Eiger north face.[2][7] Sorenson is considered by some to be the best all-around climber of his time.[2][6][8] 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][8][9]
Death
[edit | edit source]Sorenson died from a fall during a solo attempt of the Mount Alberta's North Face on October 5, 1980.[3][10]
Further reading
[edit | edit source]- Long, John and Fidelman, Dean. The Stonemasters: California rock climbers in the seventies. Santa Barbara, California: Stonemaster Press/T. Adler Books, 2009.
- Accomazzo, Rick. Tobin, the Stonemasters, and Me, 1970-1980. Stonemaster Books, 2024.
References
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