No. 615 Tom Kimbrough, 2008

File — Box: 67, Folder: 13

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Kimbrough (b. 1938) spent his teenage and young adult years in Chattanooga. The area was rich in sandstone formations which gave him a lot of cave exploring activities as a youth. He started exploring caves across the region of Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia but eventually wanted to also climb. He started climbing in 1960 and got drafted shortly after. In the army he found a friend, Steve Roper, that was also an avid climber. After the army he spent years climbing from a recommended list Roper gave him. In 1973 he started working for the Park Service in the Tetons, generally doing upkeep, patron safety, and rescues. He has witnessed the development of equipment improvements and a widening of the climbing community with more women becoming involved. He has always balanced the risks with the rewards of climbing and still believes you have to stick your neck out. At the same time, he worries when he sees his son doing the same sort of things he did.
Outdoor Recreation Oral History Project.
Interviewer: John C. Worsencroft

Dates

2008

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.