Seeking Information about Tobin Sorenson’s fall on Mt. Alberta

For the past several years, I have been working on a book about my friend, Tobin Sorenson,. A few sections of it have been published in Alpinist and  are available on Alpinist’s website if anyone is interested.

I am currently writing about Tobin’s death on Mt. Alberta, which occured in October of 1980. He was attempting to solo the second ascent of the formidable north face, a route that had its first ascent by George Lowe and Jock Glidden in 1972. News accounts suggest that Tobin was rope-soloing through the steep rock band when he fell and pulled the belay anchors.

Specifically, I am looking for:

--information about his brief time in Calgary. He had moved there in the summer of 1980 to work for a Christian missionary organization.
-- details about the fall as gleaned from the rope and equipment found with him.

Please contact me if you have any information. PM me or I can be reached via email here:
(my last name) at aol.com  

Can't say anything but I'm looking forward to the book!

Hi Rick

Get in touch with laurie skreslit. He would have been a very active member of the Calgary climbing community at the time

If you want more details you can request a copy of the file on the body retrieval from Parks Canada, Jasper. The mountain is in Jasper but was most likely done by the Banff team. Jasper back then would have been pretty limited as far as heli-slinging experience. Right up till the late 90's they brought in Banff to pull bodies off of Slipstream and such. Most likely was Tim Auger on the end of the rope. Tim passed away a few years ago. (Lord) Gord Irwin may also have been involved. Rupert Wedgewood is in charge of Public Safety in Jasper right now. Tell him Joe McKay sent you. He will either roll out the red carpet or slam the phone down on your ear. Be interesting to see what happens.

Mike Barter wrote: If you want more details you can request a copy of the file on the body retrieval from Parks Canada, Jasper. The mountain is in Jasper but was most likely done by the Banff team. Jasper back then would have been pretty limited as far as heli-slinging experience. Right up till the late 90's they brought in Banff to pull bodies off of Slipstream and such. Most likely was Tim Auger on the end of the rope. Tim passed away a few years ago. (Lord) Gord Irwin may also have been involved. Rupert Wedgewood is in charge of Public Safety in Jasper right now. Tell him Joe McKay sent you. He will either roll out the red carpet or slam the phone down on your ear. Be interesting to see what happens.

Now I want to know this history! haha

Tim Auger found the body and with it Tobins diary . I heard the story from him but sadly Tim can no longer share it . I recall  the diary had some clues to how the climb started going sideways and was returned to his mother ? 

Hi I suppose it’s too late for this but Tobin lived with my husband and his family during this time (my husband was 12 at the time). We have named our son after Tobin to honour him. 

Rick

I'm certainly looking forward to your book.  Hope all's well back in Boulder!

Steve Williams