TOBIN, THE STONEMASTERS, AND ME 1970 -1980 by Rick Accomazzo

Last week I received my copy of this newly published memoir, biography and history by Rick Accomazzo. The book's central focus is the legendary climber, Tobin Sorenson, but it is far more. The book is presented both through Rick Accomazzo's recollections and own climbs -- as one of the original Stonemasters, leading climber of the time and frequent climbing partner of Tobin -- as well as other stories and material which, for the first time, fully document Tobin's truly amazing, though short, climbing career and life. 

In the process, Rick makes the convincing case that, during the 1970s, Tobin was likely the worlds best all around climber (rock, ice and alpine). 

Unlike many books in the climbing genre, Rick's prose is immensely readable and insightful, though never sensationalistic. Interspersed are excerpts and stories from Tobin's contemporaries as well as more modern perspectives on the significance of many of Tobin's first ascents. Rick's own experiences and thoughts on climbing only further enrich the book and help place the era and Tobin's climbing in perspective. This book is richly illustrated with many photographs [all reproduced in very high quality] of Tobin, important climbs, and other key figures of the era, some never previously published.  The result is a beautifully crafted portrait, not only of an amazing climber, but of the 1970s, an era that dramatically changed modern climbing.

There is little doubt that this book will find its place among the best climbing literature. 

Available from Stonemaster Books

Thanks for sharing Randy! I wasn't aware of the book before this, but I will definitely need to check it out now. I've heard excerpts of Tobin's life in John Long's writings, and I look forward to learning more about him.

Good to know. Thanks for the write up and introduction. I will definitely buy and read this book. Weren’t the 70’s such a great decade for climbing. So many fond and happy memories. 

Thanks for the link. Going to pick this up. 

I've been looking forward to this one for a while! Really stoked to read it. 

Just ordered it based on your excellent review Randy...this should be the forward!

Definitely look forward to reading the book. I know that Rick has been working on it for a long time, glad that he finally was able to get it done. I've no doubt that it will be worth the wait.

Definitely looking forward to learning to read, and when I do, I'ma gonna read this book.

Ordered it.

I heard an interview with Rick on Enormocast a few months ago about this book. He conveyed the amazing and endearingly innocent, tragic sense of Tobin very well.

Last fall, the camp in Idyllwild where Tobin attended as a kid in Idyllwild celebrated their 100th anniversary. They had a bunch of historic photos and stuff- while thumbing through one of the albums, I came across this photo, with ‘Toby’ in the upper left row:

Thanks for the heads up Randy.

I was a small part of the SoCal climbing scene in the early 70s being mentored by Jim "Rubidoux" Wilson until I got my leading head together then moved to NorCal in 77.

 Have fond memories of bumping into and watching guys like Tobin, Largo, Ricky, Robs, etc. at the crags, never did bump into Oliver Moon though.

Will definitely be ordering the book,

Thanks Rick!

Tad

Randy… Thanks for the link, just ordered a copy.

I miss Tobin a lot. Sometimes I wonder what if….. ?

RIP 

Thanks for the PSA, Randy. Just ordered it. 

Cool, can’t wait to check it out. 

Just finished the book,

A great read that evokes memories of the characters and events that was the 70s  climbing scene in SoCal, Yosemite and beyond.

Proud effort and thanks Rick. 

Scooped this after Alan's mention of the name in the other thread. Psyched to read it after your glowing review.

Randy, 

Thanks for posting your very kind comments. I have been meaning to put an announcement on  Mountain Project, but  I am behind on promotion. I had a book launch event at Neptune in Boulder a couple of weeks ago and it was a tremendous fun, with lots of old friends in attendance, and I am in the process of getting more shows arranged. 

I am really happy to finally share Tobin’s incredible story with everyone, after a  long process of research, writing and gathering photos. 

We are slowly getting the book into mountaineering and book stores, but for now, the best place to get it is direct from my publisher, Stonemaster Books. The  website is: 

stonemasterbooks.com

I look forward to meeting many MP folks at book events down the road. I will post advance notice of upcoming events on this thread. 

Rick Accomazzo

Rick. Great book. Thanks for all the work that you put into it.

Hi Rick. Sorry I missed the Neptune event, but I'm enjoying the book.

wendy weisswrote:

Hi Rick. Sorry I missed the Neptune event, but I'm enjoying the book.

What Wendy said.

Congratulations on the Banff book awards shortlist. Well deserved.