Groups / Collectives

The Stonemasters | Collective | USA 🇺🇸


Quick Info

Type Collective
Country USA 🇺🇸
Founded 1970
Dissolved 1980
Climbers recorded 16

Quick Info

Type Collective
Country USA 🇺🇸
Founded 1970
Dissolved 1980
Climbers recorded 16
Also known as Stonemasters. Founded 1970. Dissolved 1980.

The stonemasters were an informal group who climbed extensively together in southern California from 1970 until 1980 or so. They frequented crags such as Tahquitz Rock, Suicide Rock, Joshua Tree and Yosemite. Traditionally, you had to be able to lead Valhalla (E4) before you were considered to be a Stonemaster.

Together the group defined an era of climbing in the USA with many notable achievements between them, such as:

Towards the end of the 1980s the group became known for their strict ethical stance, particularly with regards to rap bolting and top rope practice.

References

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stonemasters

Contributors
112 contributions since 9th October 2026.

Climbers

16 recorded climbers.

Climber Period Notes
Bill Antel

Listed as a member on Wikipedia: The Stonemasters.

Dale Bard

Listed as a member on Wikipedia: The Stonemasters; interviewed as one of the core members in GQ oral history, 2016.

Dean Fidelman

Listed as a member on Wikipedia: The Stonemasters; co-author of The Stonemasters (GQ oral history, 2016).

Gib Lewis

Listed as a member on Wikipedia: The Stonemasters; named among the teenage climbers John Long joined, in Wikipedia: John Long.

Jim Bridwell

Described as the group's senior member and leader on Wikipedia: The Stonemasters.

Jim Hoagland

Listed as a member on Wikipedia: The Stonemasters.

John Bachar

Listed as a member on Wikipedia: The Stonemasters; named in Wikipedia: John Long.

John Long

Listed as a member on Wikipedia: The Stonemasters; co-author of The Stonemasters (GQ oral history, 2016).

John Yablonski

Photo caption: "John Yablonski, one of the original Stonemasters". [1]

References

[1] Climbing, 2022 https://www.climbing.com/people/bouldering-sit-start-john-yablonski/

Lynn Hill

Listed as a member on Wikipedia: The Stonemasters; named in Wikipedia: John Long.

Mike Graham

Listed as a member on Wikipedia: The Stonemasters; named in Wikipedia: John Long.

Richard Harrison

Called a "Stonemasters co-founder" in GQ oral history, 2016; listed on Wikipedia: The Stonemasters.

Rick Accomazzo

Listed as a member on Wikipedia: The Stonemasters; also named among the teenage climbers John Long joined, in Wikipedia: John Long.

Robs Muir

Listed as a member on Wikipedia: The Stonemasters; named in Wikipedia: John Long.

Ron Kauk

Listed as a member on Wikipedia: The Stonemasters.

Tobin Sorenson

Listed as a member on Wikipedia: The Stonemasters; named in Wikipedia: John Long.