Climber Profile

Bob Gaines
Bob Gaines
photo© Greg Epperson
 One of Joshua Tree’s most prolific new route activists of the last two decades has been Bob Gaines. His motivation, eye for a new line and quest for quality has produced some of Joshua Tree’s finest routes. Bob started climbing in Joshua Tree in the late 1970’s and right from the get-go, his motivation and talent were evident. Extremely dedicated and productive, Bob started ticking off climbs and soon proved to be a driving force in new route activity.

Being the consummate professional, his climbing company and guiding service ‘Vertical Adventures’ has been on of the leading climbing schools in the country and almost the industry standard for climbing schools anywhere. Some owners of climbing schools drift away from work in the field, letting their hired hands be the rope guns. But not Bob. Keeping true to himself, he still spends many days a year teaching new guides. Bob’s climbing instructors are some of the most talented guides anywhere.

His guiding, climbing school and professional yet friendly nature has led to contact with Hollywood and Bob has participated in many commercials, movies, RB shows and show biz stunt work. He personally has climbed with many a celebrity and seems to be one of Hollywood’s top picks. He’s done stunt work for Sly Stallone, William Shatner and worked extensively on the movie "Cliff Hanger."

Bob is not a slight, skinny, lycra-clad gym climber. He’s a big dude. Muscles are fine for many sport routes, but to climb difficult climbs, especially in Josh, you need to have your footwork down. Bob is downright masterful when it comes to using his feet. In fact, precise and delicate footwork required on extremely difficult face routes has become a trademark of his climbing style.

While he’s climbed around the world, his greatest impact is in So-Cal at his home crags. Not many people have spent more time climbing at Tahquitz and Suicide and his list of new routes is a testament to his ambition. Bob picks his new routes with deliberation and goes after them with focus and control, the same way he likes to climb and run his business. The result has produced some very high quality climbs. Most are excellent, some darn-right brilliant, and most have good or at least adequate protection. Treat yourself to any of these Gaines quality creations. Some of them are quite difficult: Virginia City 5.10d/5.11, Silver Lining 5.11b/c in 1996, Where have all the Cowboys Gone 5.10d in 1999, Middle Age Savage 5.12b in 1992, and Gunslinger 5.12b in 1991.

Bob continues to put up new routes, run his business with his signature quality and control, and also pursues some of his interests, including fly-fishing, writing and photography. His lovely wife Yvonne is also a very talented climber and shares Bob’s passion for outdoor adventures.