In promotion of his new autobiography Royal Robbins is making a tour of local REI stores in the Bay Area. If you’re not familiar with Royal Robbins and his Yosemite connection then take a look at this interview from SFGate.com.
Q: What is involved in “An Evening With Climbing Legend Royal Robbins”?
A: I give a slide show telling 40 years of adventure. I got into climbing through the Boy Scouts, and I got into the Boy Scouts because I got out of jail as a kid, and that seemed like a good choice.
Q: What got you into “juvie”?
A: I was a bad boy. I don’t remember it very well, but I remember being in an institution where there were a lot of kids like me and we were herded around.
Q: You made the world’s first ascent of the face of Half Dome. What do you remember about it?
A: It was 1957. I remember my friends who were with me. They gave me courage.
Q: When was the last time you climbed in Yosemite?
A: It’s been two years. I’ve slowed down. I climbed After Six, a 600-foot rock. I did it without a rope, which means I couldn’t afford to fall.
Q: Why without a rope?
A: Because it was harder that way.
(SFGate)
Be sure to read the rest of the interview over at SFGate and head out to the Berkeley REI store on the 27 to meet Royal in person and get a copy of his latest book, “To Be Brave, My Life: Volume One” signed.