name ten climbers who influenced American climbing the most

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Mungeclimber

Trad climber

sorry, just posting out loud.

Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 29, 2007 - 11:41pm PT

Taken from a Jello post... got me thinking...

"I was once asked by Rock & Ice mag to name the ten climbers who had done the most to influence American climbing. Henry was my choice for the early to mid-70's, followed in time by JB."

I don't know that you can force that kind of number on climbing's influence.

It took Oli 381 pages to capture, quite well, the influencing on free climbing of many many climbers. So trying to capture that influence in 10 people may be near impossible for all of climbing's styles, but it may spark stories and thoughts about what it means to a particular person to have been influenced by certain climbers. [this paragraph edited from original post for clarity]

one figure that always stands out to me is Lynn Hill.

SammyLee2

Trad climber

Memphis, TN

Dec 29, 2007 - 11:51pm PT

No question re. Lynn. Such a great climber and representative. But for me, her ex. BF. John Long holds the high spot. Reading about his and his friends adventures, made me want to climb perhaps as much as my nature did.

Never to forget my local leaders, without whom, I'd be ground bound. Thanks Ted and Scott.

SammyLee

Todd Gordon

Trad climber

Joshua Tree, Cal

Dec 29, 2007 - 11:56pm PT

John Bachar, John Long, Henry Barber, Jim Bridwell, Chris Sharma, Lynn Hill, Warren Harding, Royal Robbins, Todd Skinner, Tony Yaniro, Jeff Lowe, Dean Potter, Randy Leavitt, John Gill, Layton Kor, Tommy Caldwell, Tucker Tech, Harvey T. Carter, Yvon Chouinard, Herb Laeger, Fred Beckey, Peter Croft, and Locker......there;...threw in a few extra in case you need some extras........( I keep on thinking of more...)...honorable mention;...(personal) Dave (Kelly ) Vaught, Dave Evans, Tom Michael, Tom Burke, Al Bartlett, Cyndie Bransford, Mike Paul, Brian Povolny, Tony Sartin, Mike Lechlinski, Kyle Copeland, Andrea Gordon.

Toker Villain

Big Wall climber

Toquerville, Utah

Dec 29, 2007 - 11:57pm PT

Kor
Robbins
Chouinard
Lowe
Lowe
Lowe
Lowe
Hill
Porter
Harding

WBraun

climber

Dec 29, 2007 - 11:58pm PT

For a good long period I would have to say Bridwell belongs in the "10".

He influenced most all the people already mentioned including Long, Lynn, Bachar, Kauk, Graham, Ament Bard etc etc.

The guy was everywhere in peoples heads.

Mungeclimber

Trad climber

sorry, just posting out loud.

Topic Author's Reply - Dec 30, 2007 - 12:11am PT

no doubt Werner, good call on the actual influence, in addition to lots of spectacular climbs.

goatboy smellz

climber

colorado

Dec 30, 2007 - 12:14am PT

a few missing from todd's list...

Hans Kraus
Chuck Pratt
Wolfgang Güllich
Tom Frost
Mugs Stump
Lynn Hill
Derek Hershey
Rob Slater
Charlie Fowler
John Middendorf
Peter Croft
...

bachar

Trad climber

Mammoth Lakes, CA

Dec 30, 2007 - 01:12am PT

Clyde
Salathe
Robbins
Bridwell
Gill
Kamps
Barber
Porter
Lowe
Kauk
Hill
Croft

oops, top twelve?

marky

climber

Dec 30, 2007 - 01:15am PT

Bridwell & Mugs, Backes & Twight

Toker Villain

Big Wall climber

Toquerville, Utah

Dec 30, 2007 - 01:19am PT

All right John.
Which Lowe?

Chicken Skinner

Trad climber

Yosemite

Dec 30, 2007 - 01:23am PT

John,

Great list.

Don't forget John Muir, Robert Underhill, and you have to include Harding. That makes fifteen at least and, that isn't even close enough to tell the true picture...

Ken

PhilG

Trad climber

The Circuit, Tonasket WA

Dec 30, 2007 - 01:27am PT

Let's not forget to mention:
Walter Bonnatti
Edmund Hillary
John Harlin
Haskett Smith
Mark Powell
Edward Whymper
Patrick Edlinger
Oliver Perry-Smith
Joe Brown
Don Whillians

bachar

Trad climber

Mammoth Lakes, CA

Dec 30, 2007 - 01:37am PT

Top twenty?

Muir
Weissner
Fawcett
Moffatt
Harding
Sorenson
Chouinard
Breashers

Edit: P-ron, Jeff.

Jaybro

Social climber

The West

Dec 30, 2007 - 01:39am PT

Where would Indian Creek (and any where else)'s handcracks be without Joe Brown?

10b4me

climber

1/2way between Yos and Moab

Dec 30, 2007 - 02:16am PT

Robbins
Harding
Bridwell
Bachar
Long
Hill
Gill
Croft
Lowe(s)
Chouinard
Clyde

Toker Villain

Big Wall climber

Toquerville, Utah

Dec 30, 2007 - 02:16am PT

Kinda figured, John, but at least two (Greg and Yvon) made my list in part by adding to our arsenal as well.
I thought it self-serving to include partners I (was on record for having) put up routes with, but if like you I listed a dozen, then Bird and Charlie would make the cut. Indeed, Alex was there as the person Charlie was handing the baton TO.

(hey, Phil, Munge said "American". Its confusing ENOUGH already. lol)