Todd Skinner  - 1982

World-renowned rock climber

Todd Skinner is credited with nearly 500 first ascents in 26 countries, and his adventures have been documented on film and in magazines in 12 languages, including National Geographic. 

His notable first ascents took place at Salathe Wall on Yosemite's El Capitan in 1988, the north face of Mount Hooker in Wyoming's Wind River Range, the Great Canadian Knife in the Cirque of the Unclimbables in Yukon Territory, the Northwest Direct Route on Yosemite's Half Dome, and the East Face of Trango Tower in Pakistan's Karakoram Range.

He also worked as a motivational speaker and was the author of Beyond the Summit (2003) and Modern Rock Climbing (1993).

Applauded by his colleagues as a safe climber, Skinner was killed on October 23, 2006, at the Leaning Tower in Yosemite Valley, California, when the belay loop on his harness broke during his descent from the mountain.

He lived with his wife, Amy, and their three children in Lander, Wyoming.

Photo courtesy of Bobby Model