Tobin Sorenson

Tobin Sorenson (June 15, 1955 – October 5, 1980) was an American rock climber and alpinist famed for establishing bold first ascents on Yosemite big walls, in the Alps, Canadian Rockies, and New Zealand.^[1]

Tobin Lee Sorenson
Born	(1955-06-15)June 15, 1955 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died	October 5, 1980(1980-10-05) (aged 25) Mount Alberta, Canadian Rockies, Canada
Nationality	American
Education	Biola University (B.A., 1980)
Occupation	Rock climber · Alpinist
Years active	c. 1972–1980
Organizations	Stonemasters climbing community; Biola University; American Alpine Club
Known for	Bold first ascents in Yosemite, the Alps, Canadian Rockies and New Zealand; leading figure of the 1970s Stonemasters

Early life and education

A California native, Sorenson was the son of a minister, Lee Sorenson, and was raised in Covina, California.^[2] As a teenager he played the guitar at church and sang in the choir, and continued to emphasize faith and spirituality throughout his life.^[2] Sorenson graduated from Biola University in 1980.

Career

Sorenson honed his climbing skills at Tahquitz Rock, Joshua Tree National Park, Suicide Rock, and Yosemite Valley.^[2][3][4][5] Later he turned his attention to the European Alps, and conquered several dangerous ice climbs in the Mont Blanc massif, the north face of the Grandes Jorasses,^[6] and the Eiger north face.^[2][7] Sorenson is considered by some to be the best all-around climber of his time.^[2][6][8] A contemporary of John Long and John Bachar in a group they called the Stonemasters putting up daring new routes in the Idyllwild, California area, Sorenson pushed risk standards in the realm of rock climbing and alpine mountaineering.^[3][8][9]

Death

Sorenson died from a fall during a solo attempt of the Mount Alberta's North Face on October 5, 1980.^[3][10]

Further reading

• Long, John and Fidelman, Dean. The Stonemasters: California rock climbers in the seventies. Santa Barbara, California: Stonemaster Press/T. Adler Books, 2009.
• Accomazzo, Rick. Tobin, the Stonemasters, and Me, 1970-1980. Stonemaster Books, 2024.