How Rock Climbing Legend Royal Robbins Influenced The Sport
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or
Flash plugin.
In this June, 1967 photo provided by the family of Royal Robbins, Liz and Royal Robbins are seen at the summit of Half Dome after Liz became the world's first woman to climb it. Royal Robbins, who founded the outdoor clothing company bearing his name, has died after a long illness, he was 82. (Robbins Family via AP)
Royal Robbins, a legendary rock climbing pioneer, died Tuesday at age 82. Robbins helped usher in the golden age of climbing at Yosemite, and he advocated using clean climbing techniques that left no trace on the rock.
Robbins and his wife Liz founded the company Royal Robbins, one of the first to specialize in outdoor clothing. Rock climber and writer John Long talks with Here & Now’s Robin Young about how Robbins influenced climbing.
Copyright 2026 NPR
View this story on npr.org
Follow us for more stories like this
CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you. As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.
Donate Today
