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Don Lauria
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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Feb 20, 2017 - 12:23pm PT
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Just remembered another “Roper the pilot” story as related to me by Michael Cohen:
Seems, decades ago, Steve and Michael (and maybe others) flew to some remote canyon in the Southwest to explore. Roper put his plane down uphill into a box canyon.
When the time came to return home, Roper realized the predicament he had created upon landing. He had little room to take off and avoid the surrounding mountains.
In preparation for the takeoff, with engine idling, Roper exited the cockpit and marched off ahead of the plane. After reaching some particular distance, Steve removed a handkerchief from his pocket and placed at his feet. When he returned the plane Michael asked, “What’s the handkerchief for Steve?” Roper’s reply, “I want you to keep your eye on that handkerchief as we takeoff. If we’re not airborne by the time we reach it, yell and I’ll abort.”
Roper revved the engine and the plane began moving, gaining more speed, and more speed, and Michael’s eyes were glued to the assigned marker. Still on the ground as they passed the handkerchief, Michael yelled, and instantly turned to Roper. Jaw set, his eyes firmly fixed ahead, the plane still on the ground, still at full throttle, Steve was leaning forward, pleading, “Come on, baby! Come on baby!”
Michael’s yell to no avail, Roper pressed on. Since both of them are still alive, you know they made it.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Feb 20, 2017 - 03:05pm PT
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Brian- Getting up on the climb was Al's idea as John had determined that the route was beyond his scope after reconing it while climbing the Northeast Bowl. It would make sense that Steck would get first position on the route name as John was hardly an egotistical guy. It sounds better that way too.
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aspendougy
Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
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Feb 20, 2017 - 04:52pm PT
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I can't resist telling this legendary Steve Roper/Royal Robbins story, even though I have absolutely no idea what so ever, whether it is true or not, but Tom Gerhuty told me this many years ago, back in the late 60's. If I get banned from Super Topo for relating it, so be it.
This girl shows up at Camp 4. She was attractive, but short on camping gear. It was her custom to spend the night with different climbers, but you had to be a member of the elite of the day. She was fairly picky.
The legend goes that she once spent the night with Roper, and the next day said, "Steve, that was the second best lay I've ever had."
After a few moments of stunned silence, he was curious, who was the best. The legend goes that he just looked her and said, "Royal?". She just quietly raised her eyes and nodded."
Can't beat those golden age climbing girls.
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BooDawg
Social climber
Butterfly Town
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Feb 20, 2017 - 06:31pm PT
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I have heard the same story almost verbatim.
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MH2
Boulder climber
Andy Cairns
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Feb 20, 2017 - 06:49pm PT
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The history of Roper is not easy to disentangle.
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Chris Jones
Social climber
Glen Ellen, CA
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Feb 20, 2017 - 08:21pm PT
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Roper told me more or less the identical tale of sexual prowess. He also included the name of the young lass, which I hesitate to divulge here. Altho I included several fantastical Royal legends in my tome "Climbing in North America," this was not among them. Pity perhaps.
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dee ee
Mountain climber
Of THIS World (Planet Earth)
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Apr 17, 2017 - 08:17pm PT
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Good story!!!
Todd Gordon and I have an almost identical story from Denali with a teenage pilot in deep snow!
We heard the same prayer though..."come on, come on, come on baby!!!"
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