Peter Croft
Rock Climber
For most of his climbing career, Peter has concentrated on big-rock routes.
Starting in Canada, where he grew up, he inevitably gravitated to Yosemite Valley, where, after climbing the biggest cliffs there, he began to do link-ups of two or more big walls in a day. This led to his present neurosis: big traverses and link-ups in the High Sierra.
He sometimes writes about his adventures in various climbing magazines and, in between climbs, logs serious couch-time watching TV with his wife, Karine, and Pee Wee the dog.
Favorite Destination: High Sierra
Favorite The North Face Product: Prolix Pant: a great climbing pant, very durable, clean lines.
Proudest Moment: Starting climbing
Cause(s): The wilderness
Words To Live By: Realize that you suck and that you are superman.
Favorite Moment In History: The Year TiVo was invented.
Most Recent Epic: Being pounded by storms and sickness in Patagonia
Ambition: After climbing, going surfing
Weakness: Things with caffeine
Three Things People Should Know About Me: I’m terrified of spiders, I love night climbing, and I’m afraid of the dark.
Career Highlights: - First ascent of Blowhard, V 5.12+, High Sierra, 2005 - First ascent of Samurai Worries, V 5.12, High Sierra, 2005 - First ascent of Venturi Effect V 5.12+, High Sierra, 2004 - First ascent of Airstream V 5.13, High Sierra, 2004 - First ascent of the Evolution Traverse, the Sierras, 2000 - First ascent of Sponsar Brakk via 8,000-ft. rock route VI 5.11, Pakistan, 1998 - First one-day link-up of the Nose and Salathe routes on El Capitan, Yosemite, 1992 - First free ascent of Moonlight Buttress V 5.12d/13a, 1991 - First free ascent of the Shadow V 5.13, onsight of crux pitch, 1988 - First free solo link-up of Astroman and the Rostrum, 1987 - First free solo of Astroman V 5.11, 1987 - First one-day link-up of the Nose of El Capitan and Half Dome, Yosemite, 1986 - First traverse of the Waddington Range, 1985 - First free solo of the Rostrum V 5.11, Yosemite, 1985 - First free ascent of University Wall V 5.12, Squamish, 1982
Films/Book Highlights: - Moving Over Stone (Parts 1 and 2) - Masters of Stone - Painted Spider - Beyond Gravity - Authored The Good, the Great and the Awesome (2002), a select guide to the alpine rock routes of the High Sierra
Awards Highlights: - Gold Medal at the Milano Montagna (2000) - The American Alpine Club’s Underhill Award (1991)
