Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Please take a few minutes

It was my honor to know Bob and met him several times in Sierra and Mt. Baldy. His wisdom and knowledge of outdoor inspired all of us.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends......

Soon after registering on this message board over fifteen years ago, I ascertained that one “Bob R” was the most knowledgeable poster regarding Mt. Whitney and its environs. I was eager to learn, having been hooked on the Sierra Nevada by my first hike up the Mt. Whitney Main Trail. So, I shamelessly emailed Bob numerous stupid questions, and he never failed to answer. I also studied every set of pictures he posted, from which I learned many things - how to climb Mt. Muir, the route through the Ebersbacher Ledges, multiple routes up Thor Peak, where to find water, etc. I hiked with Bob just once – Mt. Gould in late November 2007. At 72, he maintained a steady pace while recounting story after story about previous climbs in the area, often pausing to identify peaks for me. He clearly enjoyed sharing his knowledge and love of the mountains. I was honored to be inducted into the Occasional Peaks Gang that day, and perhaps even more honored to share a post-hike beer with that great gentleman, scholar and mountaineer.

[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/rockwellb/2075482204/in/album-72157603336549241/[/img]

So very sorry to hear this. I never got to hike with Bob, but we saw him at the store a lot and on the trail a few times. We were scheduled to hike back to the Gambler's Special wreck together several years ago, but that trip was canceled. He was a very special man. Fair winds and following seas my friend........................................DUG

Always read his posts with great respect, for he obviously knew what he was about. I knew something was going on a few years ago when he stopped posting and others mentioned medical issues. Age wins the race every time, to my sorrow. I am sorry to hear of his passing, but it does seem he lived one very good life in those 84 years.

Adrian

What more can really be said? Bob is Bob, and those that know him know what that means. And yes, present tense. Bob is still here, and he's still on the trails, and he's still sharing a beer. I'm glad and grateful to know him and to have shared adventures, lots of laughs, and plenty of eye-rolls.

I look forward to climbing more peaks with him and hearing the stories...

Someone once told me, “Bob will be a hero until he has both feet in the grave.” I think she underestimated him.

Drinking Water, altitude sickness, avalanches, mountain safety, poop bags, Whitney Trail Shortcuts and much more;
Bob contributed much to my mountain knowledege.
I figured out soon after seeing his posts so many years ago, that this was a one of those rare guys you listen to, don't question, don't argue just listen and do it the way he tells you. He was serious, never preachy, he just wanted to help us.

Here is a quote from one of Bob's posts from many years ago.

"I believe that all routes in these beloved mountains have special and unique things to offer, and all are to be cherished in one way or another."
BOB R

He will be missed.

Bob Rockwell was OUR generation's John Muir.

On my many trips up Whitney I ran into Mr. Bob. One of the kindest and most knowledgable mountain people. Always stopped and chatted with him.

RIP Bob! Berne Mettenleiter aka "Mountaingoat"

I only met Bob in person briefly once - at the Portal Store following a hike here, but did e-mail/message with him off and on some years ago.

Bob was an amazing guy with a kind heart and a lot of stories to tell, and was always a wealth of information for those of us who were far less experienced than he was (which was most of us).

The hiking/climbing/BP community has lost an icon, and Bob will be greatly missed.

CaT

Sunrise, sunset. A trip I will never forget. Nor will I forget Bob R.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rockwellb/albums/72157625074453834

I'll never forget how cold I was. Of course, Bob knew where the best shelter was. I remember Bob's reply when someone asked him why he didn't sleep in the summit hut: "The stars, man! The stars!"

I, like so many, learned a lot about how to hike the trail from Bob's postings on this board. On my first trip up I walked by someone at Trail Crest who looked familiar, and then several hundred yards later I realized who it was and made a u-turn so I could go back and thank him in person for passing on his knowledge of the Trail.

It has been a while since I visited this site, so I am just now seeing this. I am sorry to hear it. I thought Bob was indestructible. Although I did not know him well I met him when he and a friend watched over me and my two buddies as we made our first ascent of the Mountaineers route. It was also our first ascent of a major mountain. It was early October of 2005 and there was snow and ice in the couloir. Bob and his friend caught up to us at Iceberg Lake. They had just watched us fumble our way up a dangerous set of icy blocks and ledges below Iceberg Lake. I think we unwittenly chose the most dangerous route up. Anyway,Bob very diplomatically asked if they could climb the rest of the way with us. We probably would have made it anyway, but I learned a helluva lot on those few hours we spent with him that paid dividends on many other ascents since. He set the tone for my future interactions in the mountains. He is missed.

Remembering Some Guy on this day of his final climb a year ago.

Hope you are enjoying Heaven's mountains, Bob.