Tobin Sorenson, the SoCal Climber Who Redefined an Era

A new biography, Tobin, the Stonemasters, and Me, by Rick Accomazzo, dives deep into the life and legacy of Tobin Sorenson, a climber from Southern California whose influence on the sport remains unparalleled decades after his tragic death.

Published by Stonemaster Books, the 375-page volume is a blend of memoir and biography that offers a fresh, intimate perspective on the man once hailed as the best all-around climber in the world.

Tobin Sorenson’s life was marked by audacity, skill, and an unwavering drive that pushed him to excel in every climbing discipline, from rock to ice to high-altitude alpinism. Born the son of a preacher in Southern California, Sorenson was not your typical climber.

His deep religious conviction and fearlessness on the rock set him apart from his peers in the 1970s climbing scene. Sorenson’s name remains legendary among climbers for his ability to seamlessly switch between different styles. He excelled in Yosemite’s hardest traditional routes, conquered brutal alpine faces in Europe, and established new standards in ice climbing.

The book’s author, Rick Accomazzo, was a close friend and fellow climber who shared many of these experiences with Sorenson. In the book, Accomazzo recounts their adventures within the close-knit community of the Stonemasters, a legendary group of climbers that included John Long, John Bachar, and Lynn Hill. Accomazzo’s narrative paints a picture of a young climber who was always willing to push the envelope, even when it meant venturing into dangerous terrain with minimal gear, a hallmark of the “hell-for-leather” attitude that defined Sorenson’s approach.

Sorenson’s accomplishments remain extraordinary, especially considering the limited gear and knowledge of the time. Highlights from his career include first ascents in Yosemite, groundbreaking climbs on the north faces of Europe’s Grandes Jorasses and Eiger, and an audacious free solo ascent of a 21,000-foot peak in Peru. Despite these feats, Sorenson never sought the spotlight, and his contributions have often been underappreciated, something Accomazzo aimed to rectify with this book.

The book also captures the spiritual and emotional layers of Sorenson’s life. As a preacher’s son, Sorenson’s faith was integral to his worldview and his approach to climbing. Fellow Stonemaster John Long reflects in the book’s foreword on how Sorenson’s intense spirituality combined with his fearless climbing style created a figure who was both inspiring and, at times, haunting. Long’s words, “It still shivers my timbers just thinking about it,” encapsulate Sorenson’s lasting impact on those who knew him.

Accomazzo’s book took over a decade to complete and is enriched with personal stories, rare photographs, and insights from Sorenson’s climbing partners worldwide. The chapters take readers on a geographical journey, from the sun-drenched crags of Joshua Tree to the icy peaks of the Canadian Rockies, illustrating how Sorenson’s achievements stretched across continents and styles. The narrative builds toward Sorenson’s final climb on the north face of Mount Alberta, where he tragically died in 1980 at the age of 25. Accomazzo handles this part of the story with care, highlighting the loneliness and danger of such an undertaking while exploring the emotional toll on Sorenson’s fiancée, family, and friends.

Tobin, the Stonemasters, and Me not only cements Sorenson’s place in climbing history but also serves as a time capsule of a vibrant and transformative era in the sport. It offers a rare look into the personalities, friendships, and unrelenting passion that defined the climbing culture of the 1970s.

The book is available for pre-order at Stonemasterbooks.com. It promises to be a must-read for anyone interested in the history of climbing or the remarkable life of a man who, in Accomazzo’s words, was truly “the best climber in the world.”

Also worth a read: An interview with Accomazzo about the book in Gripped Magazine.