Halibut Hats and Climbers-What Gives?

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Bruce Morris

Social climber

Belmont, California

Feb 11, 2013 - 02:04pm PT

The legend I heard was that Royal Robbins used to work in Modesto as a painter, possibly for Liz Robbins' dad, and he adopted his style of dress while painting when he went to Yosemite to rock climb. In other words, Robbins wore white painters' pants and a white painters' hat because that's exactly what he was doing to fund his climbing habit.

But I see that John Gill says he started wearing one of those hats in the 50s. Perhaps, so cross-pollination between Colorado and California? Dunno.

Ask Royal!

Dick Erb

climber

June Lake, CA

Feb 11, 2013 - 04:36pm PT

Royal worked for a while in the paint store owned by his father in law. I don't think he ever worked as a painter, or had anything to do with painters pants becoming popular with climbers. I never saw him wear a pair of them. It was mainly shorts and knickers.

guido

Trad climber

Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific

Topic Author's Reply - Feb 11, 2013 - 07:32pm PT

I have to agree with Erb on this, although in many ways RR could paint a pretty picture.

jogill

climber

Colorado

Feb 11, 2013 - 07:36pm PT

so cross-pollination between Colorado and California? Dunno

Make that Georgia and California ;>)

LL LL

Sport climber

moving thru

Feb 11, 2013 - 07:47pm PT

Boodawg....splendid series of pics. Much appreciated. lynnie

Chris Jones

Social climber

Glen Ellen, CA

Feb 11, 2013 - 09:50pm PT

While it is true that Joe Brown, Don Whillans and their group wore flat hats, other equally prominent Brits, e.g. Chris Bonington, Martin Boysen etc. did not. It would have been an affectation for Bonington to have done so - flat hats were not worn by university or professional types. The weather in the British hills is either cold, snow likely; cool, rain likely, or warm, rain possible. Many times therefore you will see pictures of Brown and others wearing a wool Balaclava hat, an itchy damn thing, but warm. For the most part in Britain during the late 50s and early 60s we did not use hats of any stripe
The issue in California was keeping the sun out of one's eyes, not staying warm. Arriving in the Valley in 1966, it was immediately apparent that my Edelrid hard hat was simply not on; too hot, and more important, wimpy looking. It seems to me that Eric Beck pointed me to a store on Berkeley's San Pablo Avenue as a source of painter's hats. I usually bought cotton pants at thrift stores; they were cheaper than actual painter's pants. Wonderful thread Guido.

LL LL

Sport climber

moving thru

Feb 11, 2013 - 09:53pm PT

Nice bit of history, Chris Jones. :D lynne

Steve Hickman

climber

Norwood, CO

Feb 12, 2013 - 08:17am PT

Didn't I have one of those on when we did Snakedike back in 1901?

guido

Trad climber

Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific

Topic Author's Reply - Feb 12, 2013 - 09:51am PT

Snake Dike circa 1965. This is "Ranger" Hickman.
Thanks to Haan for restoring these old slides!


	Hickman and the Snake Dike and............ Credit: guido


	Credit: guido


	Credit: guido

ydpl8s

Trad climber

Santa Monica, California

Feb 21, 2013 - 12:24pm PT

^^^^^

I want that shirt! I have those knees:-)

LL LL

Sport climber

moving thru

Feb 21, 2013 - 07:30pm PT

ydpl8s...No I want that shirt. :D Knife, paper, sissors yo for it.

Paisley, oh how I love the paisley. So hard to find. Tried many places. Mr. Graham sent me a nice paisley shirt couple years ago, but I've worn it out. It would be awesome if someone out there would manufacture a bitd paisley long sleeve out of today's awesome fabrics.

Closest I can come to the god ....wow I didn't realize good old days spelled god..... Hmmmmmm, anyway I found a great pair of tie dyed climbing pants. At Nordstroms of all fricking places. Cheers, lynnie

McHale's Navy

Trad climber

Panorama City, California & living in Seattle

Mar 6, 2013 - 05:55pm PT

It dawned on me today that my friend here is wearing a halibut hat. It's Scott Hamel bouldering at Big Four Ice Caves in the 80s. We were comparing old tools with the newer recurved tools.