Hot Henry
Barber was known for climbing in trademark white golfer's cap and white painter's pants, as well as his abrasive and arrogant demeanor. He was one of the few climbers of his era to actively seek and use media attention. His repertoire of moves, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, and his tremendous self-confidence and mental control, set him apart from his contemporaries.
Henry Barber was an early advocate of clean climbing, climbing with only nuts for protection. Henry was an active climber before the era of spring-loaded camming devices that made protecting cracks without pitons feasible. One of Barber's specialties was doing the first free ascent of established aid climbs.
Barber was a prolific soloist, specializing in on-sight solo ascents. In 1973, Barber soloed the Steck-Salathé Route on Sentinel Rock in Yosemite National Park. The solo ascent, done on-sight in 2½ hours, first brought Barber to prominence as a leading rock climber.
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