AboutRobert Walton Expertise I know Pinnacles National Monument as well as anyone around. I can give good advice to anyone who is new to the area. I'm also comfortable with questions about Yosemite and the Sierras. I'm not a wall climber and have small experience with aid techniques. Don't ask me about Excaliber. Peaks? Whitney (several routes), Mt. Humphreys, North Palisade, Mt.Sill, all the Cathedrals, and others.
Experience I've climbed in Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada for 30 years. My home crags are in the Pinnacles National Monument. I've put up a dozen new routes there - ground up, bolts placed from stance. I've led 5.11, but I'm down to 5.9 these last few years.
Organizations Friends of the Pinnacles Sierra Club, Ventana Chapter
Publications Ascent 1989 Ascent 1993 Ascent 1999 The Climbing Art -- many times
"High" magazine, 1st place in 1999 fiction contest
Education/Credentials California Teaching Credintal
Expert: Robert Walton Date: 4/9/2008 Subject: Climbing
Question What is the oldest recorded age of a rock climber?...I know of a gent who..is a few months shy of his 80th bday...and..is still climbing indoors!!! He has a marvelous...colourful rock climbing history...and I am told....he is very special soul indeed!!!!.....
Answer Dear Kaz,
I can offer personal knowledge only. I'm unaware of any official records in the age department as far as climbing is concerned. Fritz Wiessner would be my candidate for geriatric climbing champ. He climbed hard and often right into his upper eighties. His biography can be found at this web address:
Al Steck, a friend of many years, is close to eighty and still gets down to Joshua Tree in the spring. My British partner, Dave Gregory, is 76. We did a three week tour of the Sierras last September and split leads at Lovers Leap, Sequoia and Courtright. He's climbing in the South of France right now. I'm 61 and intend to climb until I can't.
I might add that the sport is very kind to aging muscles and tendons. It's almost as good for you as yoga as far as flexibility is concerned. The caveat, of course, is you'd better not fall and hit anything.
