Ep. 971: The Life of Climbing Icon Royal Robbins - David Smart

"Royal Robbins had an outsized impact on climbing history. This great new biography by David Smart brings the man behind the famous climbs to life in a way that’s both relatable and inspiring."--Alex HonnoldAcclaimed writer David Smart illuminates the fascinating life of Royal Robbins---in all its soulful ambition, rivalry, and romance. Royal Robbins chronicles his early years growing up as a latchkey kid in Southern California, the push and pull between being an aspiring banker or one of the original Camp 4 dirtbags, and his later decades as a father, husband, kayaker, and the trailblazing founder of the outdoor apparel company that bears his name. This intimate, colorful tour of climbing history covering Yosemite, the Tetons, the Gunks, the Alps, the United Kingdom, and more from the 1960s onward features star characters such as Liz Robbins-- Robbins’s wife and a pioneering adventurer in her own right-- Yvon Chouinard, John Harlin, Steve Roper, Warren Harding, Tom Frost, and Doug Tompkins.An important addition to our knowledge of the Golden Age of rock climbing in Yosemite and the development of the clean climbing ethos, Royal Robbins sheds new light on an elemental figure of outdoor culture.Robbins’s passing in 2017 was covered from the BBC News to NPR to the New York Times, which deemed him the "conscience of rock climbers"Find Royal Robbins The American Climber at mountaineers.org.Check out my new podcast, Florida Uncut, anywhere you get podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/florida-uncut/id1707970349Sponsor Messages:Roark The best travel gear isn’t born in a factory, it’s inspired by journeys taken by real people exploring the world. Their team pulls design inspiration straight from the cultures and climates of new destinations to create clothing and gear tailored for travel and adventure sports. For a limited time, as one of our listeners, you can get 15% off your first order! Just go to roark.com and use promo code ASP15 at checkout Visit Yosemite Yosemite is by far my favorite place in the world! I would love for every Adventure Sports Podcast listener to go there and see why I’m always talking about it. You can get started on your own adventure at TravelYosemite.com. Wonderul PistachiosThe key to any good adventure, big or small, is having great snacks. Keep yourself full and focused on all summer adventures, from dropping the kiddos off at camp, to running between meetings with Wonderful Pistachios They come in a variety of flavors and sizes, perfect for enjoying with family and friends or taking them with you on the go. Unlike meat, protein-powered pistachios are naturally cholesterol-free and add fiber to your day. Visit WonderfulPistachios.com to learn more.Better HelpThis episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ADVENTURESPORTS and get on your way to being your best self.Green ChefGreen Chef delivers everything you need to cook delicious dinners at home. We send seasonal organic ingredients and chef-crafted recipes right to your doorstep. Ingredients come pre-portioned and prepped, saving time. Our recipes are so easy to prepare, anyone can do it—yes, even if you can’t make toast. Green Chef offers meal plans for all tastes, from paleo to vegan, and more.Website: https://www.greenchef.comOur Sponsors:* Check out The Wonderful Company: https://www.wonderfulpistachios.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy