The Patrick Gabarrou Appreciation Thread

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Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Mar 31, 2015 - 09:08am PT

I was particularly struck by the report of the enchainment where the days long effort paused to await better weather for the helicopter observation by reporters...

...it highlights the difference between the popularity of the "sport" between the US and Europe. In particular, helicopter costs are on the order of $1000/hr. In distinction, we get to see John Long interviewed from El Cap meadow looking up at the walls, a long-lens butt shot.

steve shea

climber

Mar 31, 2015 - 11:41am PT

Ed, there was another difference which reflects your point about the difference in popularity. Alpine fashion. The French in particular looked like there were going spring skiing at Davos. Form fitting clothing, dayglo colored patches, parkas and packs. Dayglo headbands were big. You could always spot an American or Brit. No fashion there. The French were always ready for the camera. The Patrick Vallencant look was very popular. Even the Compagnie des Guides had a spiffy uniform, no dayglo though.

Clearly the sport was more mainstream than in the US. The Japanese looked fashionable as well but I think they copied the French.

Rick A

climber

Boulder, Colorado

Mar 31, 2015 - 08:22pm PT

Steve looking stylish on the Rebuffat Route on the Midi in 1977.

Thanks to Avery and Ed for the retrospective on a French icon.

Some who post on ST should be acknowledged for their early repeats of great Gabarrou lines:

Todd Eastman did the SuperCouloir on Tacul in the summer of 1977.

Gordon Smith and Terry King did the second ascent in 1976 of the route on the West Face of the Plan. Smith and Tobin then did a first ascent immediately right of this route in 1977.

Todd Eastman

climber

Bellingham, WA

Mar 31, 2015 - 08:57pm PT

My partner on the Supercooler was Jack Hunt who has spent the last several decades climbing good stuff around his home in Del Norte, CO and throughout the West.