Ron Kauk, b. 1958

I always thought that Ron was the complete Yosemite climber. He’d done big wall climbing, the hardest free climbs, hard bouldering, everything. He’d done it all.
Peter Croft  

2003

Publication of the book “Spirit of the Rock”,

2000

Acted as a double for the Hollywood star Tom Cruise in “Mission Impossible II”

1997

Magic Line 5.14b, Vernal Falls area, Yosemite, first ascent, considered Yosemite’s hardest free climb to date, thin crack protected by nuts put on the rappel

1995

Burn For You 8c, Frankenjura, first 8c route climbed by American, done on Ron’s 37th birthday

… on the day of my birthday, to do 8c, the hardest free climb of my life, I can’t imagine many better feelings.

“Climbing” 1995, No 151

Peace 5.13c/d, Medlicott Dome, Tuolumne Meadows, new route

Golden Rose 5.13c , Medlicott Dome, Tuolumne Meadows, new route

Broken Arrow 5.13b/c, Olmstead Point, Tuolumne Meadows, new route

1992
 

Together with Wolfgang Güllich acted as a double for the Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone in “Cliffhanger”

1990

Crossroads 5.13a, Reed’s Pinnacle area, Yosemite, first ascent, one of the first great rap-bolted routes by Ron

1988-89

To Bolt or Not To Be 5.14a , Smith Rock, Oregon, fourth ascent (second American after Scott Franklin in 1987) 
 
Punchline 5.12b, Arch Rock, Yosemite, first ascent, first rap-bolted route by Ron

Love Sexy 5.13b, Whizz Dome, Yosemite, first ascent, rap-bolted

European Vacation 5.13b, Whizz Dome, Yosemite, first ascent, rap-bolted

Rap It Up 5.12d, Hammer Dome, Tuolumne Meadows, first ascent

Super Sonic 5.13b,  Tuolumne Meadows, first ascent

1985

Lost Arrow V 5.12, Yosemite,  free ascent, live television broadcast

1984

Thriller V8 (B2), Camp 4, Yosemite, first ascent

1979

East Face (VII F8 A4, 34 pitches) , Uli Biaho, Karakoram, first ascent,  first grade VII completed by Americans, with John Roskelley, Kim Schmitz, Bill Forest

It took everything I had learned from the Valley and put it into use on one climb. Before you even get to the base you’ve seen and experienced things you would never find in the U.S. When you finally get there, you wake up to this tower and it forces you to focus on who you are and where you’re coming from. Then you’re up on the wall in the world of total commitment. It’s an awakened state where every move is important. Even passing a water bottle. It’s a matter of survival. 

“Climbing” 1986, August, No. 97

1978

Seperate Reality 5.12a, Yosemite,  first “true” (without any hanging) free ascent of Ray Jardine’s route

Midnight Lightning V7 (B2), Columbia Boulder, Camp 4, Yosemite, first ascent (probably the most famous boulder problem in the world)

Iron Hawk (VI 5.9 A4), El Capitan, first ascent with Dale Bard

1977

Tales of Power 5.12b, near Wildcat Falls, Yosemite, first ascent, overhanging 20 feet in 60, the straight-incrack doesn’t exceed 1 ½ inches in width until the last few moves and allows only one rest. 
 
Supercrack 5.12c , Shawangunks, long-awaited second ascent of Steve Wunsch’s test piece

New Jersey Turnpike (VI 5.10 A4), El Capitan, first ascent, with Dale Bard, Hugh Burton, Bruce Hawkings

1976

Crimson Cringe 5,12 a, Yosemite, second ascent with John Bachar, without using friends (which were used by Ray Jardine during the first ascent)

Astroman 5.11c, East Face, Washington Column, Yosemite, first continuous free ascent, at that time considered the hardest all-free big-wall in the country.

As a teenager, Astroman represented to me the ultimate opportunity to challenge oneself on many levels. Mentally, physically, and, without a doubt, spiritually. […] Magic is the only word to describe it, climbing pitch after pitch of the most perfect, beautifully sculpted granite in the world.

“Spirit of the Rock”, Gibbs Smith, 2003

1975

Hardd 5.11b, Cookie Cliff, first ascent, with Henry Barber and Steve Wunsch

Free Blast 5.11b (first 10 pitches of the of  El Capitan done free), El Capitan, Yosemite, first free ascent, with John Bachar, Jim Bridwell, John Long and Mike Graham

Kauk-ulator 5.11c, Rostrum, Yosemite, first ascent, with John Yablonsky

Astroman V 5.11 , East Face, Washington Column, Yosemite,  first free ascent with John Bachar and John Long, the team did the ascent swinging leads, year later (see 1976) Kauk led every pitch free with partner jumaring

Hotline 5.12, Yosemite, first ascent, with John Bachar, sometimes considered the first 5.12 in the Valley  (actually the second of third one)

1974

Butterballs 5.11c, Yosemite, first onsight flash of Yosemite’s hardest testpiece

Freestone 5.11d,  Geek Towers, first ascent, first big new route