Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
Gene
climber
|
|
|
Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 21, 2014 - 12:02pm PT
|
Although there have been several Valley Uprising threads, I post this due to the following sad news.
The event carries particular poignancy for those who have followed the legendary Royal Robbins: Damon Robbins said in an email interview that a reception planned after the screening likely will mark the final such public appearance by his ailing 79-year-old father, who for years has been a prominent businessman and supporter in the Modesto community.
“He has PSP (progressive supranuclear palsy). It’s a rare palsy that has some of the tendencies of Parkinson’s,” Damon Robbins said of his father. “He is doing quite well for having what he has. I don’t expect that he will be out at another public event after this, as it is not easy for him and he is best and most comfortable at home.”
The article says that Glen Denny and possibly Tom Frost will attend.
Best wishes to RR!
http://www.modbee.com/2014/10/19/3600013/film-about-legendary-yosemite.html
|
|
survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
|
|
|
Oct 21, 2014 - 12:09pm PT
|
Will be sending power vibes to Royal, one of our greatest tribal leaders.
Thanks Royal.
|
|
Gene
climber
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 21, 2014 - 03:15pm PT
|
Bump for news about RR.
|
|
mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
|
|
|
Oct 21, 2014 - 03:52pm PT
|
I'm going.
LostInShanghai's going.
|
|
jgill
Boulder climber
Colorado
|
|
|
Oct 21, 2014 - 04:07pm PT
|
I am sorry to hear this. I haven't kept in touch with Royal for many years and was not aware of his problems. I have memories of belaying him in the Needles of SD almost 50 years ago, admiring his bold and confident climbing style. He was (and is), as Pat Ament wrote, the Spirit of His Age.
|
|
survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
|
|
|
Oct 21, 2014 - 04:31pm PT
|
Great post jgill.
|
|
Jan
Mountain climber
Colorado, Nepal & Okinawa
|
|
|
Oct 21, 2014 - 04:44pm PT
|
I did not know Royal well but if I was anywhere near California I would go. Truly the spirit of an age.
|
|
guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
|
|
|
Oct 21, 2014 - 04:47pm PT
|
Thanks for the update on this Gene. This is very sad but Royal being Royal will deal with it with a depth and strength of character matched by few. Having Liz as a life long soulmate is a godsend.
|
|
Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
|
|
|
Oct 21, 2014 - 07:24pm PT
|
Thanks for posting. I had noticed he was ailing the last time he was in the Valley presenting with Tom Frost.
It must be tough having one's body go downhill after doing so many amazing things over the years.
But it will happen to most of us if we manage to live that long.
He did a lot of great climbing in the glory days.
|
|
Peter Haan
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, CA
|
|
|
Oct 21, 2014 - 08:43pm PT
|
It is an important moment, with Damon taking the reins and letting us all know. I guess I wasn't sure it would take place and yet it had to, and now it has. Roy is not well now. I think there are some fluctuating emotions here too for many of us and the family. Royalis has had an enormous life and today it can't be so graceful as it had been. I for one will have many memories as I approach my end and moments hanging with the man will be among many of them. For me he is still in his early forties and facing the work of the second half of his life. Waking on a bean bag in their living room I would find he had made a pot of coffee for the morning, he had worked all night at the dining table writing away, finding it.
|
|
mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
|
|
|
Oct 21, 2014 - 09:42pm PT
|
|
|
Modesto Mutant
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, CA
|
|
|
Oct 21, 2014 - 10:01pm PT
|
Unfortunately the forum topic thread you've requested can not be found.
The original topic post may have been deleted by the thread's original author or by this website.
The thread is no longer available for reply.
|
|
looks easy from here
climber
Ben Lomond, CA
|
|
|
Oct 21, 2014 - 10:07pm PT
|
Dern prior fetal commitments. Even though we already saw it in Santa Cruz my wife and I would love to go again to see Royal, if we were free.
|
|
dw88
Trad climber
33617
|
|
|
Oct 21, 2014 - 11:18pm PT
|
Friends and family of Royal , my father was a victim of PSP and the progression and diagnosis of the diseases is one of the most difficult I have bared witness to. The process was a awakening for me in my early teens and if any of you have questions or wanted support from a fellow climber who has experienced a caring for afar her with the disease please reach out. With such a rare disorder sometimes it's hard to find those to relate to. Peace be with you in these times.
|
|
mcreel
climber
Barcelona
|
|
|
Oct 22, 2014 - 02:29am PT
|
I suppose that Robbins will take on this challenge with the determination and bravery that he has taken on many others in his life. Best wishes.
|
|
mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
|
|
|
Oct 22, 2014 - 05:12am PT
|
He's not my pa and he's not my friend
But I did meet him a few times long ago when
I was still an active climber.
It's not sad that I am, nor really angry,
Like a person who's close has a right to be.
But I'm not immune to sympathy for them.
It's more as if my neighbor down the block,
A marvelous and mysterious man
Who used to stop on our sidewalk
When he'd take his constitutional,
Then do a little dance for us kids
Who watched from the porch in amazement
As he then sedately went on his way
But with a big smile and a hearty wave--
It's as if this legendary gent
Had been carried away one day
By an ambulance not to be seen again.
He became legendary long ago in our minds--
Came to be part of our lives by living there;
And we wondered that our dancing shoes,
Of which we were so proud,
And which we wore when performing ourselves,
Had his name on them:
"Monsieur."
It's like that to me.
And when he has gone,
He'll still be living in our heads
And in our hearts.
And the shoes may then come out of their rucksacks
To do a little dance for the kids' kids.
We called them God boots.
Peter, that was a heart-warming story.
Thanks.
|
|
Blakey
Trad climber
Sierra Vista
|
|
|
Oct 22, 2014 - 05:52am PT
|
Chapeau Royal Robbins.
An inspirational man.
From where I look Royal Robbins has lived his life very, very well.
If I achieve a small portion of what he has in his time I'll be well pleased.
I remember in the top dihedrals of the Muir, being blown away by his solo of the route BITD. Such spirit and ability.
Best to him, and you all.
Steve
|
|
survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
|
|
|
Oct 22, 2014 - 10:38am PT
|
So Gene, the show is tonight?
Damn, I wish my bride wasn't out of town.
It should be a very touching evening, if it's actually Royal's last "public" appearance of this type. Damn.
|
|
rick sumner
Trad climber
reno, nevada/ wasilla alaska
|
|
|
Oct 22, 2014 - 11:42am PT
|
I cant believe its been forty years since Mr. Robbins and I exchanged " mountain letters" and began a collabaration that produced the first formal Tahoe area guidebook which is among the most accurate guides produced in this country.
I have an idea he has mentored, befriended and helped many a soul, both in the climbing community and beyond in his remarkable life.
He still looms ,head and shoulders above the rest, as the giant of modern american climbing.
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!