Yvon Chouinard
Yvon Chouinard was born on November 9th, 1938 and is currently 87 years old. Yvon Chouinard was born in Lewiston, Maine, USA.
Yvon Chouinard is a rock climber, businessman, and environmentalist. Patagonia, his company, sells outdoor products, food, and outerwear. Yvon was named by
Time as being one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023.
His early climbing partners included Tom Frost and Royal Robbins. A Sierra Club member, during his youth he founded the Southern California Falconry Club, and it was his investigations of falcon aeries which led him to rock climbing. In order to save money and make adaptations to how he was climbing, he decided to make his own climbing tools by teaching himself blacksmithing and eventually founded his own business.
In 1957, he bought this second hand coal fired forge, and began making hardened steel pitons for using in Yosemite Valley. Between his time surfing and climbing, he sold pitons out of the back of his car in order to support himself. The improved pitons were a major factor in the birth of big-wall climbing from 1957 to 1960 in Yosemite. The success of these pitons he was making caused him to forge Chouinard Equipment, Ltd.
He and Tom Frost started studying ice climbing equipment, and re-invented the basic tools (ice axes and crampons) in order to perform on steeper ice. These new tools and his book (
Climbing Ice) began the modern sport of ice climbing.
Yvon was one of the leading climbers of the “Golden Age of Yosemite Climbing” and was one of the protagonists of
Valley Uprising, a film made about this era.
He took part in the first ascent of the North America Wall in 1964 (with Chuck Pratt, Royal Robbins, and Tom Frost) where they used no fixed ropes. The following year, his and TM Herbert’s ascent on the Muir Wall on El Capitan improved the style of their first ascents. He became the most articulate advocate of the importance of style, which is the basis of modern rock climbing.
In
Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman, Yvon shares the courage and persistence which have gone into being head of one of the most respected and environmentally responsible companies on all of earth.
From his youth as the son of a French Canadian handyman to the ambitious, thrilling climbing expeditions which inspired his innovative designs for the sport’s equipment, this is the story about a man that brought doing good and having some grand adventures into the heart of his business life. This is a book which will deeply affect both outdoor enthusiasts and entrepreneurs alike.
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Yvon Chouinard: F.A.Q
When was Yvon Chouinard Born? How old is Yvon Chouinard?
Yvon Chouinard was born on November 9th, 1938. Yvon Chouinard is currently 87 years old.
Where was Yvon Chouinard Born?
Yvon Chouinard was born in Lewiston, Maine, USA and is American.
What was the first book Yvon Chouinard wrote?
The first book written by Yvon Chouinard was Climbing Ice, published in 1982.
What was the most recent book Yvon Chouinard wrote?
His most recently released work was Pheasant Tail Simplicity on October 14th, 2025.
Are there upcoming new books by Yvon Chouinard?
Yvon Chouinard does not have any upcoming books with a set publication date within the next few months at this time.
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How many books has Yvon Chouinard written?
Yvon Chouinard has written 5 books. All of his books are Non-Fiction Books.