Royal Robbins (born February 1935) is one of the pioneers of American rock climbing. After learning to climb at Tahquitz he went on to make first ascents of many big wall routes in Yosemite. As an early proponent of boltless, pitonless clean climbing, he, along with Yvon Chouinard, was instrumental in changing the climbing culture of the late 1960s and early 1970s by encouraging the use and preservation of the natural features of the rock. He went on to become a well-known kayaker.
Following his success as a climber, Robbins founded an eponymous outdoor apparel company with his wife Liz Robbins. He now lives in Modesto, California.
Read more about Royal Robbins: Notable Ascents, Wall of Early Morning Light, Other Climbing Achievements, Climbing Philosophy in Advanced Rockcraft, Kayaking, Publications, Biographies
Famous quotes containing the words royal and/or robbins:
“Vanessa wanted to be a ballerina. Dad had such hopes for her.... Corin was the academically brilliant one, and a fencer of Olympic standard. Everything was expected of them, and they fulfilled all expectations. But I was the one of whom nothing was expected. I remember a game the three of us played. Vanessa was the President of the United States, Corin was the British Prime Minister—and I was the royal dog.”
—Lynn Redgrave (b. 1943)
“How a minority,
Reaching majority,
Seizing authority,
Hates a minority!”
—Leonard H. Robbins (1877–1947)