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Brunosafari
Boulder climber
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Oct 19, 2009 - 04:44pm PT
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I'll let you sleep on it, Crag!
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Oct 19, 2009 - 04:48pm PT
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Thanks BrunoS, exactly so, just above. You are a stud!
And judging from how beholden Tim was to Tobin, Tobin’s hideous, untimely and violent death must have been flat-out more than a younger brother to contemplate. He idolized his bro. Sigh.
And yeah, Cragman, I am Dutch; this very old Dutch name is spelled with two “a’s” like many names and nouns in the Netherlands. Probably should keep the spelling right for the sake of searches later and out of common respect.
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dogtown
Trad climber
JackAssVille, Wyoming
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Oct 19, 2009 - 05:06pm PT
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The legend Lives on In the old school style of climbing. True Alpinist Style of free climbing. And its home is Tahquitz and Suicide.
TS FA. Seasons end. Soerenson and Graham.
Some old Dog.
The great Mike Graham on his and Tobins route New Generation.
And the Best face climber in the day and maybe ever! Darrell Hensel on his route. IsHi 12.D
The place is the Soul of Alpine style Rock climbing...... Preiod.
Dogtown.
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TripL7
Trad climber
'dago'
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Oct 19, 2009 - 06:38pm PT
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I have to admit that 1). I haven't purchased the 'Stonemasters' book yet and as soon as I can locate it I will. 2). My story up thread was more suited for the 'Stonemaster IV' thread, as I realize now that this is regarding specific stories in the book! And, 3). I should probably leave it at that. But since i only have one or two relatively short stories to share and they are more or less about Tobin I will Post them here rather than have them get lost in what will someday most likely be published as the 'Encyclopedia Americana Version of the Stonemasters' (HOO-RAH). Spring 1974!! Word had it, (as I recall), that a couple of the Stonemasters had showed up and were being treated to a personnel tour to some of the 'Valley Classics'. Next day, a couple of my friends and myself are down at Reeds P. area, sitting next to the start of the first pitch of some multi pitch 5.10+(??) and up strides one of the 'VALLEY SELECT' with Tobin and Mike in tow, and without missing a beat, he launches off on the first pitch 5.9+(3rd classing it). On arriving at the top he slides the rope off his shoulder and looks down at Tobin and asks, "need a line?" Tobin just shrugs his shoulders, shakes his head no and fires up the hand crack in perfect style. Mr. 'VALLEY SELECT' then looks down at Mr. Gramicci and simply says "how about you?" Well, by now all of us viewing from the peanut gallery, jaws were dropping and our eyes were popping. You see, we were privy to the fact that Mr. Select had years of practice leading, top roping etc. on this particular pitch, as it was popular for just that amongst the heralded few. And here come Tobin and Mike, right off the boat so to speak.... well needless to say, us mere mortals in the gallery were much relieved when Mr. G, with a slight pause and a smile glances over at us and responds "today, I'll take a rope"!
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TripL7
Trad climber
'dago'
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Oct 20, 2009 - 03:51am PT
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It is 1977 or 1978, and once again I am down at 'Reeds P. Area' thrashing away on something...occasionally glancing over my left shoulder at another climber, down canyon, taking these whippers off a new route in progress, later to be called 'Tales of Power'...and reflecting on what a close friend of mine 'George'(the belayer of the climber putting in the air time) had said about the tenacity and commitment of this individual (RK). The route was finally completed after a couple of weeks of diligent, day after day, effort. It became an instant test piece/classic of course, and was therefore on Tobin's list of climbs to do. And, as the story goes, Tobin comes up on one of those long weekend foray's he made from L.A. while in 'bible college', to climb and be with his friends. And he (although a devout Christian), flash's it!!! First try!!! WHAM/BAM/THANKYOU MAM!!!! Tobin made a statement that day, and I am simply underlining it here, all these years later!! No disrespect intended at all, on the contrary!!! For I have nothing but respect for every individual who tied into the sharp end of a rope one day at a very young age, and then committed the rest of their lives to climbing. It takes a very unique individual to be able to do that. I am just recalling another 'Stonemaster' thread recently, where Largo and Dean comment to the effect that Tobin wasn't that good of a climber...just bold. Well with all due respect for 'JL' and 'Bullwinkle', I beg to differ, it took more than simply 'boldness' to get up that in one try, 'right off the couch'!!! And by the way Peter Haan, I recall one lazy '1974' afternoon down by the river, you and RK glancing up at the 'SENTINAL' and you encouraging him, to give a shot at an attempt at the FFA of the West Face of that megolith. You said something to the effect that "your name will be etched on it for eternity". Ron was very young then, and was perhaps still pondering just how much a commitment it was going to require to get to where he is today. I believe it took friends like you, the Bird and others to help him with such a commitment along the way. I guess what I am trying to say is, Tobin made a similar type of commitment. Not so much unlike yours away back there at the foot of the 'Salathe Wall' many years ago (I recall reading your account of it then, and your saying that you were going to have to pull off something monumental to impress the likes of the crew in C4). But Tobin's commitment was to his 'Lord and Savior' Jesus Christ! He new it would have to be 100%, even if that meant giving up climbing, as important as it was in his life. I believe that you, being of the caliber that you are (44 Magnum), can respect him for making that type of commitment. Well, as it turned out, 'The Good Lord' did include climbing in 'His' plan for Tobin's life, very much so. And like you, Tobin understood what it would require to impress the likes of a very similar group of friend's, that meant so much to him. I, like all who have known and loved Tobin as fellow 'brother in the Lord',friend, climber etc. have struggled with, why did 'He' take Tobin 'home' so young? And after close to 30 years of pondering this, I still don't have an answer. I can only ask you, Peter Haan, to please believe me when I say, that Tobin surely has his name 'etched for eternity' in a book in Heaven. And I do know I will see him again,and perhaps then Tobin will take the time to share with me the explanation the Lord gave him after 'He' said to Tobin, "well done good and faithful servant". PEACE. Sorry about the one big paragraph!! I am new at this and could not get it to form paragraphs!!!
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
climber
. . . not !
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Oct 20, 2009 - 04:51am PT
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" And yeah, Cragman, I am Dutch; this very old Dutch name is spelled with two “a’s” like many names and nouns in the Netherlands. Probably should keep the spelling right for the sake of searches later and out of common respect. "
Funny , I spell it A. H. - for ass hole .
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Oct 20, 2009 - 06:12am PT
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hey there say, all... as i have read more, and learned more from you all, i must say, it is very sweet that he knew the wonders of having the good lord in his heart...
i wish he could have shared his life with his fiance... :(
but then, sometimes there are things we just dont' understand, as to our time upon this land...
god bless, to is family, and may those that love him, continue to share, even as you are now... thus--folks can learn of him, even as i have just said that i have, as well...
seeds to grow, from the life that was lived, and you are spreading that seed, very well and kindly... :)
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Ray Olson
Trad climber
Imperial Beach, California
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Oct 20, 2009 - 11:47am PT
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from the perspective of a socal upstart in 1975, Tobin was both myth and legend.
with his bold alpinism a capitol "L" on the word "Legend".
truely great to be learning more about this very special person.
thanks.
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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Oct 20, 2009 - 12:38pm PT
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"...Largo and Dean comment to the effect that Tobin wasn't that good of a climber...just bold."
Never said that. Tobin was questionably the best all around climber in the world in the last 1970s.
JL
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Brunosafari
Boulder climber
OR
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Oct 20, 2009 - 12:48pm PT
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For a few days, he held the handstand record at our home in Morro Bay. I think it was about 57 seconds, but several windows were almost booted.
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Ray Olson
Trad climber
Imperial Beach, California
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Oct 20, 2009 - 02:35pm PT
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at first it was all about the pic of him on Insomnia, his wallet seen poking out
of the back pocket of his trousers, and the stories...
then the pic of him on the...Eiger?
pretty mind blowing.
sadly I know almost nothing of his alpine career other than that
and his last climb.
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mooser
Trad climber
seattle
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Oct 20, 2009 - 03:07pm PT
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My first memory of Tobin was watching him slither up a dime-edge face at Woodson. Super slick! Super sick! My second memory was at my cousin's wedding (you were there, Bruce--Tim and Deanna). What a great guy. I'd never seen someone toss dinner rolls (as Tobin did) at a bride and groom before. A vivid memory of an even more vivid character!
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TripL7
Trad climber
'dago'
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Oct 20, 2009 - 04:27pm PT
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"Never said that. Tobin was questionable the best all around climber in the world in the last 1970s." John! If you say it ain't so, than it ain't so!! Period. I must have misinterpreted a statement, and I would much rather be made to look the fool than for it to be true. Thank you for correcting me on that!! Long live the Stonemasters!!! Sincerely, TripL7.
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Brunosafari
Boulder climber
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Oct 20, 2009 - 05:05pm PT
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Actually, you are showing some class and wisdom there Trip.
Sometimes we force the words of another into our own schematic of associations and loyalties, and then we fail to get the intended meaning or to see the larger context. We all seem to do this to one degree or another.
Compared to many top climbers, Tobin was not always the prettiest to watch and his performance could be erratic. But like the great Alpinist which he became, he was always fast and bold. There never was a more peace loving person, or a more thoughtful reader and listener. When we try to discern purpose amid the pain of his loss, perhaps we have a say in it, as we try to honor and imitate some of those qualities.
B
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Jefe'
Boulder climber
Bishop
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Oct 21, 2009 - 11:32pm PT
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For whatever reason, Tobin always had a hard time bouldering, unless there were cracks around. Me and Richard took him to Baldy once and he couldn't get off the ground to do anything. Then he spotted a finger crack on the side of the hill above the creek, it was probably 10' long, but nothing underneath for 20', and of course, flashed it, but couldn't do anything else at Baldy. His Dad and Dibbs lived up there for a while.
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dogtown
Trad climber
JackAssVille, Wyoming
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Oct 22, 2009 - 11:34pm PT
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The place is the Soul of Alpine style Rock climbing...... Period. It all started at T&S. Ask them all. All the Greats. back too 50's and before.
Dogtown.
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thetennisguy
Gym climber
Yuba City, CA
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Oct 23, 2009 - 12:12am PT
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I never met him either. When I went to Biola College in 1980, in one of the daily chapel services, a young woman gave a message about her fiance. He was a climber, a former student, and a man of great faith. It was a message I remember to this day. I have never forgotten that and I wished I could have met her intended because everyone who knew him at school witnessed his faith. They also witnessed his incredible climbing ability; there wasn't a building on campus he couldn't scale. This pales in comparison, of course, to his other accomplishments. It was said and there's no reason to doubt it, that he could do a one finger pull up. Needless to say he was already a legend around this small campus. He was an moutaineer.
Later I learned that he perished in Alberta Canada doing what God had gifted him to do. Climb. And he was and is a witness to all of us of a living faith in Jesus Christ and a Hope that surpasses anything this world has to offer. In looking back that was an incredibly sad day in the chapel service, because of the great loss involved, but what I learned about him was that he held on to Christ. That message has stuck with me all these years.
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Klimmer
Mountain climber
San Diego
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Oct 23, 2009 - 09:41pm PT
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I always wished I had met Tobin. In those days I was a christian too and climbing was my life. It was all I thought of. The article in Mountian magazine with Tobin in a suit holding an umbrella in the rain, a wonderful image, and reading the accompanying article on his life really had an impact on me. At the time I was up in Washington State having just left San Diego for the next few years. I was climbing like mad up there too. I had good friends in my church youth group in Poway, and occasionally even convinced them to go with me to Mt. Woodson.
Recently, I came back to God, thank Jesus. Some day I am looking forward to meeting Tobin and others that have gone on before. But I have this life right now to live with my family and friends and that I will do.
Brunosafari,
I have a picture I will post of George Tabler later this evening when I get back from dinner. I think you will appreciate it.
This was my first climbing periodical I ever purchased as a youth.
This photo is for the Adam's Family. Here is George Tabler (the wild fun loving guy) your friend and neighbor from Poway days . . . I'm the one with my finger up my nose. Apparently not much has changed since then (circa early 1980).
The Posse. The Usual Suspects. The guys from church. I sure miss seeing/talking to Goerge. Haven't seen or talked to him in many years. It has been too long.
I have another picture of George climbing Elsa's crack on Mt. Woodson, but it is in negative form. I still haven't got around to printing it. I'm bad :-((
I miss all these guys but especially George Tabler and Joel McCravy. I wonder what my good friends from years gone by are doing????
Edit:
By the way, the Stonemasters Book is awesome. Thanks you guys!!
:-))
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