Annual Robbins Pinecrest Climb-In

September 2007

Crisp Sierra weather. Clusters of rock outcrops hidden in a forest of pines, firs, and mountain hemlock, a thousand feet above the South Fork of the Stanislaus River. Climbers—young and old, legends, regulars, and newbies—repeating favorite routes and trying new ones. That was the scene September 15 and 16, as over 50 Sierra Nevada Section members and guests enjoyed great fall weather for the annual Pinecrest Climb-In, hosted by Royal and Liz Robbins and Tom Frost.

For many years now, this gathering has provided the best of what "climbing community" is all about: getting out climbing, socializing with old friends, and making new ones. And how cool is it to go climbing with Royal Robbins and Tom Frost? If our passion were baseball, we wouldn't be playing with Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth! We are very fortunate to have Royal, Liz, and Tom as pillars of our community.

Notable among this year's attendees was former section chair Lynn Bamford, who won the "farthest traveled" award, having flown in from the north island of New Zealand, where she now lives. The "here's to our future" award went to Adam Glover, son of section member Fred Glover; Adam was a magnet for encouragement from the rest of crowd, obviously wishing they'd started climbing at his age. And finally, it's worth noting that while the Sierra Nevada Section has long had a tradition of strong membership and leadership from women climbers, the female turn-out this weekend was exceptional, no doubt inspired by the presence of Liz Robbins and her first female ascent of the Northwest Face of Half Dome: 25 women attended this year's Climb-In. Many thanks to Royal, Liz and Tom for hosting the event, and to Ellen Lapham for reporting on the happenings.

The Sierra Nevada Section is now gearing up for the second annual "Fall Highball" in Bishop on November 3 and 4. Contact Section Chair Dave Riggs for information.

—Dave Riggs

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