Todd Skinner, one of America's pionering free climbers, killed in Yosemite

Todd Skinner, one of America's pioneering free climbers, died on October 23 when abseiling from the Leaning Tower in Yosemite.
Todd Skinner, one of America's pioneering free climbers, died on October 23 when abseiling from the Leaning Tower in Yosemite. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, his death was caused by harness failure, as the belay loop broke.

Todd Skinner was one of America's most prolific new routers, with hundreds of first ascents spread out across the globe. His 1988 ascent of El Capitan's Salathé Wall (VI 5.13b) together with Paul Piana stunned climbers and heralded the start to big wall free climbs.

Skinner's enthusiasm and joy for this sport will be missed by the entire climbing comunity. He lived in Lander, Wyoming and is survived by his wife Amy, son Jake, and daughters Hannah and Sarah.


www.sfgate.com
www.outside.away.com
www.npr.org (Paul Piana interview)
www.supertopo.com
www.climbing.com
www.toddskinner.com


Photo: El Capitan and the Salathé Wall.
Photo F. Piardi
Todd Skinner



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