Who is the best North American Climber of all Time?

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Avery

climber

Topic Author's Original Post - Sep 21, 2014 - 07:33pm PT

Who is/was the best North American Climber of the last 50 years?

A huge question, I know, but one well worth the asking. Just a name is OK, but a few reasons to back it up is always preferable.

PLEASE NOTE: I will give this thread ample time to breath, it will fail or flourish on it's own merits.

climbski2

Mountain climber

Anchorage AK, Reno NV

Sep 21, 2014 - 07:35pm PT

Tough one. How do you measure it?

All around.. Once was Alex Lowe before him was Jeff Lowe.

Now...? That person is now for sure. But who?

anita514

Gym climber

Great White North

Sep 21, 2014 - 07:36pm PT

The guy from Cliffhanger

Avery

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Sep 21, 2014 - 07:41pm PT

My vote goes to George Lowe. He's not only proved himself adept on all types of terrain, his 1st ascent routes are truly worthy of that overused term: landmark.

North Face, Alberta
North Face, North Twin
Infinite Spur, Foraker
The spirited attempt on the North Ridge of Latok 1

Just to name a few.

Avery

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Sep 21, 2014 - 07:43pm PT

Hey climbski2, you can measure it any way you like, it's your choice.

Jaybro

Social climber

Wolf City, Wyoming

Sep 21, 2014 - 07:52pm PT

I think he was only 69, but he and Donini certainly pushed the most years up that one!

Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Sep 21, 2014 - 08:02pm PT

best of all time? since we haven't gotten to the end of time this might be a bit premature..
but so far:

Jim Bridwell should be in consideration... impressive FA list....

Chris Jones has an amazing resume and extracurriculars

Jeff Lowe also amazing

Fred Becky on just being around so long... how many Becky Routes are there?

Kalimon

Social climber

Ridgway, CO

Sep 21, 2014 - 08:09pm PT

Tobin Sorenson certainly was one of the best all-arounders, especially for his gear era . . . doesn't have the high altitude cred though.

Charlie Fowler certainly proved in his own subtle way to be one of the top "journeyman" climbers, having mastered every aspect of climbing/mountaineering . . . a resume possibly unparalleled by a NA.

Jim Bridwell deserves all the credit we can bestow . . . the definition of a hard man.

All the Lowes are there as well, related or not.

Too many more not mentioned . . .

rottingjohnny

Sport climber

mammoth lakes ca

Sep 21, 2014 - 08:24pm PT

Not having ever climbed with the guy , i'd say Locker ...He's still alive , avoids ice , and always looks stoked about climbing...

phylp

Trad climber

Millbrae, CA

Sep 21, 2014 - 08:29pm PT

I appreciate you starting a climbing topic. But this is an unanswerable and meaningless question. Thanks for trying.

Edited to say the above was meant humourously/ironically - to anticipate and encapsulate the comments I was sure were to come. Sometime my deadpan humor gets lost in the writing.

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Sep 21, 2014 - 08:29pm PT

Bob Skinner, a selfish but true reply.

He has been from el cap to everest. Pioneered routes in the valley.

My father ran into Chouinard a year ago. He asked if he knew Bob. Yvon said, yep, he was one crazy Son of a B%tch.

Bob was in the valley in the 1950's, then went home to Wyoming.

His son, Todd Skinner, is worthy of a mention.

WBraun

climber

Sep 21, 2014 - 08:33pm PT

Even a common ant is easily considered the best North American Climber of all Time .....

Studly

Trad climber

Sep 21, 2014 - 09:23pm PT

If you have to ask the question, then you probably haven't seen this video.

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Mungeclimber

Trad climber

Nothing creative to say

Sep 21, 2014 - 09:25pm PT

Lizard vs. Ant

TITAN VS. TITAN

Olympus is on fire tonight!

bhilden

Trad climber

Mountain View, CA/Boulder, CO

Sep 21, 2014 - 09:32pm PT

These threads are always a lot of fun because there isn't one correct answer. Having said that, if you pick a guy named Lowe (George, Jeff or Alex) you would probably be in good company on any adventure you chose to undertake.