Tobin Sorenson

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
  1. Sacks, Ronald (1981). "Tobin Sorenson, 1955-1980". American Alpine Club. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  2. Accomazzo, Rick (Spring 2015). "He Would Just Go: Tobin Sorenson and the Alps, 1977". Alpinist. Vol. 45. American Alpine Club. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  3. Long, John; Fidelman, Dean (2009). The Stonemasters: California rock climbers in the seventies. Santa Barbara, California: Stonemaster Press/T. Adler Books. ISBN 9780984094905.
  4. "On Living the Adventure". One Pursuit. January 5, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  5. "On Living the Adventure, Part 2". One Pursuit. January 7, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  6. Sorenson, Tobin (1978). "Climbs and Expeditions: Europe". American Alpine Journal. 21 (2): 587–588.
  7. 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.
  8. "Covina Climber Killed in Fall in Canada's Rocky Mountains". Los Angeles Times. October 11, 1980. pp. A22.
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